NORTHEAST OHIO Blood shortage is worst in 15 years, Red Cross says

The Red Cross was unable to supply 151 pints of blood sought by hospitals.
The American Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region began the week with the worst blood inventory situation in more than 15 years, including two blood types, O positive and B positive, with no reserves.
Last weekend, the region shipped 2,371 units, including plasma and platelets, but fell 151 pints short of the blood requested by area hospitals. Those requests had yet to be filled as of Monday afternoon.
As a result, all blood types were placed on a "transfuse only" status, which means hospitals may not receive blood unless they have an immediate need for a specific patient, Karen Kelley, manager of communications and marketing for the ARC Northern Ohio Blood Services Region, said.
The blood supplies available as of Monday morning were:
UO positive -- Current supply, 0; minimum inventory standard, 840.
UB positive -- 0; 225.
UA positive -- 64; 750.
UO negative -- 2; 225.
UA negative -- 4; 180.
UB negative -- 20; 45.
UAB negative -- 5; 15
UPlatelets -- 99; 200.
Distribution in population
About 40 percent of the population has O positive blood, and about half of all blood ordered by hospitals in the region is type O. Type O positive blood can be transfused to all blood types except O negative, which can be given to patients of all blood types.
About 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, which is the blood type preferred for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions, Red Cross officials said.
On average, out of every 100 donors, 84 are RH positive, 16 are RH negative, 38 are O positive, 7 are O negative, 34 are A positive, 6 are A negative, 9 are B positive, 2 are B negative, 3 are AB positive, and 1 is AB negative, according to the American Association of Blood Banks.
Red Cross officials urged eligible donors to give blood as soon as possible.
Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Call toll free (800) 448-3542 for information on blood drives.