Q&A: Blood use and the Blood Center
Community Hospital’s blood use is down by nearly half from its peak. How much is used now, how
much was used at the peak, and when was the peak?
This year, we anticipate transfusing about 3,680 pints of blood, down 47 percent from the peak of 6,891
pints in 2009.
What are the advances/changes that have led to the reduced need for blood?
Over the past decade, new research has shown that patients actually experience better outcomes when
blood transfusions are given in a much more limited set of clinical circumstances than was previously
thought. As a result, guidelines for transfusion have been evolving under this growing body of clinical
evidence and many hospitals, including ours, have implemented more sophisticated blood management
programs. In addition to the use of less-invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques, which has been
growing for many years, the more recent advances have included ways to collect blood lost during
surgery and return it to the patient, using medications to reduce bleeding during surgery, and the
narrowing of the range of laboratory test results in which transfusions are appropriate.
Where will Community Hospital obtain the blood it needs after it closes the Blood Center on
October 16?
Community Hospital will be working with United Blood Services (UBS), one of the nation’s oldest and
largest suppliers of blood and blood products. UBS, a nonprofit organization, works with more than 500
hospitals in 18 states. In our area, it supplies blood to Natividad Medical Center and Salinas Valley
Memorial Hospital.
If donors still want to give blood, will they be able to do that?
UBS will be working with us to conduct periodic drives in the area, and we both would appreciate the
continued support of our donors. When drives are scheduled, we will share the information on our web
site, chomp.org, and through our Facebook page.
What are we doing to thank staff, donors, and Auxiliary volunteers?
We are extremely grateful to our many donors, blood drive organizers, and Auxiliary members who have
supported the blood center over the years. We will have a special gathering for staff, donors, and
volunteers at the Blood Center on October 14, from 4-7 p.m.
How much money will be saved by obtaining blood from someone else?
It costs about $2 million a year to operate the Blood Center. The cost to obtain blood elsewhere is about
$1.5 million a year and we expect that to decrease as usage continues to decrease. That means initial
savings will be about $500,000 annually and then are likely to increase.
What kinds of jobs do the 10 people at the Blood Center do?
The Blood Center staff includes four registered nurses, three clinical laboratory scientists (including a
supervisor), two laboratory technicians, and one administrative assistant.
Will they find other jobs at CHOMP?
We hope so. Each affected employee will have preferential re-hire status for a new job within the hospital
if they meet the minimum qualifications for the open job. Employees who choose not to apply for another
hospital position or do not meet the qualifications will receive outplacement assistance and severance pay
and benefits according to our long-standing policy.
What kind of severance do the employees receive?
To provide economic support to employees while they are transitioning into other employment
opportunities, severance pay is provided to all full-time, part-time, and per-diem employees who are laid
off. Severance pay is paid on the normal two-week payroll cycle and is based on length of service. The
amount of severance pay ranges from four weeks for people with less than three complete years of
employment up to a maximum of 26 weeks for those with more than 13 years of employment. Healthcare
benefits continue during the severance pay period.
Will there be more layoffs or discontinued services at Community Hospital?
Like businesses everywhere, we are always looking for ways to make financial improvements. We do that
through a combination of reducing costs and increasing revenue, in ways that ensure that we can still
provide excellent care to and meet the changing needs of our community. Since 2009, we have generated
$46.5 million in annual savings while launching new services to generate revenue and meet community
needs, such as the opening of our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Right now, we are working to make $6.5
million in annual financial improvements by March 31, again through a combination of reducing costs
and generating revenue. We are already about 40 percent of the way toward that target. At this time, we
don’t have specific plans to discontinue other programs or services, but, again, we are always looking for
ways to improve financially while preserving our high level of care.