about blood levels

[avpy]

Hello,

Just some curious questions...
What are the blood levels that we have besides,
warning, low and comfortable?
Will there be a point where blood donation
will reach such a high that people of certain blood
group do not really have to donate because of the comfortable levels?

[Shan Xue]

Blood stock indicator as of today is
A- 365 units
B- 648 units
O- 585 units
AB - 134 units
Total = 1732 units

We need about 300 units a day. So our supply can last about 6 days. When the indicator indicates "comfortable", it only means that blood group has a stock of more than 3 days.

It is actually quite pathetic. Only 6 days supply. In countries such as Hong Kong, they can manage to keep at least 2 weeks supply.

So even if you see our blood stock indicator is comfortable, more donors are still required. After all, the shelf life of whole blood is 42 days and we only have 6 days supply. ;)

[Shan Xue]

Red Cross target is 8 to 10 days of stock by 2010. So keep donating :)



We aim to increase the current number of regular blood donors from 1 to 2 per cent out of total population by 2007, and 3 per cent by 2010. We also aim to increase the current stock of 3 days to 5 days and a healthy level of 8 to 10 days by 2010. In so doing, we can ensure sufficient safe blood supply, help ease or prevent acute shortages during festive periods, school breaks and also in times of emergencies.

Elaine
Blood Donor Recruitment Programme
Singapore Red Cross society

25 Oct 05

[Mimz]

We need about 300 units a day. So our supply can last about 6 days. When the indicator indicates "comfortable", it only means that blood group has a stock of more than 3 days.
Wow... I didn't realise we need that much. I've always thought that when the indicator said "comfortable" we have enough for more than a week or so.

[ajay]

The limit to donate blood is 12 weeks otherwise I would like to donate blood each month and when ever it is needed, specially when the blood group is AB negative :)

[Misty]

Hi, I was asking myself this same question about how long blood lasts and what does it mean when the blood stock is "comfortable". I came across this forum as I was searching for some answers on the internet. The answers here are exactly what I was looking for :)

I think it's a good point to bring to donors' attention that despite a "comfortable" blood stock level, that donors should still come forward. Over the last few weeks, I saw the blood stock level on the Donorweb indicator was much higher than I remember it being for a long time, so I thought i could put off donating until the stocks are low, so that can ensure that there's a continual blood supply. But from what's been discussed here, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Perhaps, as a suggestion, this point could be information in the next mail that's sent round to donors? I receive regular notices about mobile blood drives in my mail... and recently received the 2009 calender too :) Thanks!

[Shan Xue]

I understand the designer team are working on a new version of blood stock indicator. That should help to clarify :)