A Simulation Model to Inform Best Practices for Inventory Management of Group O Negative Red Blood Cells

Blood is a crucial life-saving product that is needed in both routine practice and lifethreatening emergencies. Maintaining sufficient stocks of O negative red blood cells is important for emergencies, because it is the universal donor type that can be transfused into anyone. However, red blood cells are perishable and managing these stocks in British Columbia and other regions of Canada with many remote hospitals is challenging without wastage of this precious resource. O negative individuals comprise 6-7% of the population, yet O negative demand exceeds 12% of transfusions. There is growing concern over the sustainability of the O negative blood supply. To minimize wastage, British Columbia developed a red blood cell redistribution program, where red blood cells near expiry are sent from smaller to larger sites for use before expiring. We will develop a simulation model to inform best practices for O negative red blood cell inventory management in hospitals and redistribution. Using simulation, we will test strategies for equitably balancing the risk of shortages against the potential for wastage or potentially using O negative red blood cells for non O negative patients to avoid expiry, with the aim to improve the sustainability of the national O negative blood supply.

RUTHERFORD, Alexander

Simon Fraser University

Blood Efficiency Accelerator Program

British Columbia

$29,500