Balancing blood stocks is a very complex issue that requires constant monitoring and actions on the part of the blood transfusion service. Blood stocks not only depend on blood donors and the blood collected, but also on the consumption of blood. The latter is unpredictable, both in terms of the volumes of blood components required as well as blood groups. In cases of increased needs for blood, additional blood drives are organised along with regular ones; frequently, donors are targeted over the telephone (e.g. when certain blood groups are missing) and, as an extreme measure, the blood transfusion service makes a public call to blood donors in the media.
However, a problem for the blood transfusion service is not only the lack of blood, but also stockpiling, since blood components have a certain shelf life. In such cases, only a limited number of donors are accepted at a blood drive or the latter is postponed.
An additional measure to balance the inventory of blood is a graphic demonstration of blood stocks by blood group throughout Slovenia. The organisational fragmentation of the blood transfusion service has hence been surpassed and inventories have been joined, meaning that blood is being treated even more responsibly and rationally.
Now, blood donors can also help balance blood stocks and decide to donate blood by taking into account the stocks and needs.
