Author: Richard H. Adler

Highway-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities take a heavy personal toll on American families. An estimated 41,611 Americans died in 1999 and over 3.2 million were injured as a result of motor vehicle crashes. Statistics on the number of auto accident victims who required emergency hospitalization and transfusion are not maintained. However, it is estimated the emergency department at Harborview Hospital in Seattle transfuses 50,000 units of whole blood and blood products every year.

Each year approximately13 to 14 million units of whole blood are donated by approximately 8 million volunteers in the United States. Approximately 4.5 million patients per year are transfused with whole blood or blood components.

Approximately 32,000 units of red blood cells are needed on a daily basis in the United States. This includes accident victims, surgery patients and patients being treated for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia , all utilize blood. Each year about 26.5 million units of blood components are transfused to recipients.

Despite this regular and emergent need for blood, only 5% of the eligible population of healthy Americans donate blood. Persons 65 and over although comprising 13% of the population account for the use of 25% of blood transfused. To be eligible to donate blood, one must be in good health, 16 or 17 years old (with parental consent), and weigh 110 lbs or more. Eligible persons may donate as often as every 56 days. The drawing of a unit of whole blood takes approximately 10 minutes

There is always a demand for blood. However, during holiday seasons and the summer, demand is higher and donation rates are typically lower.

Most units of whole blood are separated into their multiple components: Red Blood Cells, Plasma,
Platelets and Cryoprecipitate. These components then are available for transfusion to different recipients
with different needs.

The approximate distribution of blood types in the US population is as follows:

O Rh-positive...........38 percent
A RH-positive............34 percent
B Rh-positive.............9 percent
AB Rh-positive...............3 percent

O Rh-negative............7 percent
A Rh-negative..............6 percent
B Rh-negative.............2 percent
AB Rh-negative............... 1 percent

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Accordingly, people with type O blood are known as universal donors and those with type AB blood are known as universal recipients. In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types.

Drawn blood is tested for ABO group (blood type) and Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient. Screening is also done for signs of donor infection with hepatitis viruses B and C, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) 1 and 2, human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) I and II and syphilis.

In January 2001, the American Red Cross urged the Food and Drug Administration to mandate universal leukocyte reduction from non-leukocyte cellular blood transfusion products. Leukocyte reduction is the process of the removal of contaminating white blood cells from blood products. White blood cells (leukocytes) are a common source of transfusion reactions. Removal of leukocytes makes for a safer transfusion process.

Typically a unit of whole blood is separated into several of its components. Red blood cells remain viable under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days, or they may be frozen for up to 10 years. The red cells (which carry oxygen) are used to treat anemia. Platelets are critical in the control of bleeding and are most commonly given to patients with leukemia and cancers of other forms. Platelets are stored at room temperature and may be kept for a maximum of five days. Fresh frozen plasma which is used to control bleeding due to low levels of various clotting factors is most often stored in the frozen state for as long as a year. Cryoprecipitated AHF which contains only a few specific clotting factors is made from fresh frozen plasma and may be stored frozen for as long as a year. Granulocytes are sometimes used to fight infections and must be transfused within 24 hours of donation. The efficacy of transfusion of granulocytes for treatment of infection is not well-established.

Current emergency care protocols in cases of massive trauma recommend the transfusion of whole blood when it is available. In order to avoid hypothermia, transfused blood must be processed through a Level 1 rapid infusion blood warmer, in addition to the application of warm ambient temperature and reflective covers to the patient.

Please call our office at 206.682.0300 and volunteer to be a blood donor on May 10, 2001. Thank you for your help.

Very truly yours,
ADLER GIERSCH, P.S.

John Alexander
Attorney at Law

Richard Adler
Attorney at Law

Paul Giersch
Attorney at Law

Betsylew Miale-Gix
Attorney at Law