Covid-19 challenges and associated implemented measures of blood banks : a systematic review /
Kieth Ken S. Amoguis, Ma. Edith Alegrine T. Booth, Daniel B. Caballero, Kyle Edison A. Dela Cruz, Michelle A. Ortiz Luis, Aleck Vianca S. Perez, Chlaritz T. Sebuala; Normel C. Ardave.
- Fairview, Quezon City: School of Medical Technology, FEU-NRMF, 2022.
- 89 pages: illustrations, tables; 28 cm.
Includes appendices and bibliographical references.
Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 has presented many challenges ranging from health to economic issues. The healthcare sector was particularly affected, straining its performance and resources. Blood banking facilities were faced with safety issues for donors, patients and staff, as well as compromised supply and demand for blood products brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to determine the growing concerns as well as corresponding implemented measures of different blood banking laboratories worldwide. Based on the PRISMA framework, this study systematically searched and reviewed 50 relevant literatures from PubMed, Sciencedirect, ProQuest and ClinicalKey to identify the concerns of blood banking facilities and the associated measures implemented in response to the pandemic, And found that being updated and adhering to safety and security protocols, and having staff equipped with PPEs, educated and trained with safety protocols were important in addressing safety issues in blood banks. In maintaining blood supply, measures of increasing the donor recruitment by setting programs and strategies encouraging blood donation, and decreasing the utilization of blood products by canceling or postponing elective surgeries were commonly undertaken. In addressing the demand for COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) treatment, different organizations and agencies regulate blood banking functions in order to allow CCP treatment. Lastly, to prevent blood wastage due to decreased blood demand, coordination with other blood banks was needed to balance the supply. The implications of the detailed concerns and measures may serve as a reference for other blood banking facilities to adopt in their practice and operations in dealing with similar challenges.