Blood Assurance suggests pause on elective surgeries

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Blood Assurance is requesting blood donations from the public due to having a very low supply. Additionally, they are asking hospitals to hold off on elective surgeries until at least Wednesday, January 24.

Blood Assurance is requesting the pause on elective surgeries for more than 70 hospitals in the region. They say this will help them rebuild their inventory.

On Thursday afternoon, January 18, the organization said they had less than a half-day supply of most blood types. This includes both O-negative and O-positive, which are most used for blood transfusions.

The organization says they have seen a significant decrease in blood donations lately because of the winter weather. This has also caused an increase in emergency use for several massive blood transfusions over the past 24 hours.

While Blood Assurance is asking the community to donate blood or platelets, they say only do so if it is safe to travel.

Find out if a local Blood Assurance is open by visiting their website or social media.

Most centers are closed on weekends but will be open January 20-21 for additional donations.