The effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic blood shortage on trauma patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on trauma patients, particularly in terms of blood shortages. This has resulted in changes in the types of injuries seen and an increased need for transfusions. However, there has been difficulty in meeting the demand for blood products, including red blood cells, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and plasma. Blood donation has also decreased during the pandemic, exacerbating the shortage. To address these challenges, strategies such as adjusting transfusion ratios and implementing walking blood banks have been considered. The shortage of blood supply has had significant implications for the management of trauma patients, leading to higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays for COVID-19 positive patients. Ethical considerations have also arisen, including determining criteria for futility in trauma resuscitation and the allocation of blood resources. Trauma surgeons play a crucial role in advocating for patients and making complex decisions regarding blood management. Efforts are needed to recover from the blood shortage and better prepare for future disaster situations. [Extracted from the article]