Blood bank analysis

Abstract

Blood bank operations of various hospitals in the Monterey area and the Red Cross Center in San Jose were studied, and as a result a simulation model is developed which is used to determine the effects on shortages and outdating of various operating policies in a given blood bank. Data from Fort Ord Hospital is used to illustrate the model. Specific results are discussed for a single blood type (A+), but the model can be used for all blood types. The model illustrates the difficulty of reducing both shortages and outdating simultaneously, but shows where this might be possible if certain operating policies are instituted.