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. 2021 Mar;19(2):158-167.
doi: 10.2450/2021.0259-20. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: first wave, impact, response and lessons learnt in a fully integrated Regional Blood and Tissue Bank. A narrative report

Joan Garcia-Lopez  1   2 , Joaquin Delgadillo  1 , Anna Vilarrodona  1 , Sergi Querol  1 , Joan Ovejo  1 , Ruth Coll  1 , Anna Millan  1 , Alejandro Madrigal  1   3 , Gloria Soria  1 , Francisco Vidal  1 , Joaquim Vives  1   2   4 , María J Herrero  1 , Isabel Lopez  1 , Silvia Sauleda  1 , Enric Contreras  1   2 , Joan Ramon Grifols  1 , Rosa Guasch  1 , Elisabet Tahull  1 , Lluís Puig  1 , Aurora Masip  1 , Enric Argelagués  1 , Eduardo Muñiz-Diaz  1   2
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: first wave, impact, response and lessons learnt in a fully integrated Regional Blood and Tissue Bank. A narrative report

Joan Garcia-Lopez et al. Blood Transfus. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is placing blood and tissue establishments under unprecedented stress, putting its capacity to provide the adequate care needed at risk. Here we reflect on how our integrated organisational model has faced the first impact of the pandemic and describe what challenges, opportunities and lessons have emerged.

Materials and methods: The organisational model of the Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits, BST) is described. The new scenario was managed by following international recommendations and considering the pandemic in a context of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), allowing rapid measures to be taken. These aimed to: ensure donor safety, promote proper responses to patients' needs, ensure the health and well-being of personnel, and prepare for future scenarios.

Results: The BST has adapted its activities to the changes in demand. No shortage of any product or service occurred. Donor acceptance, safety and wellbeing were maintained except for tissue donation, which almost completely stopped. To support the health system, several activities have been promoted: large-scale convalescent plasma (CP) production, clinical trials with CP and mesenchymal stromal cells, massive COVID-19 diagnoses, and participation in co-operative research and publications. Haemovigilance is running smoothly and no adverse effects have been detected among donors or patients.

Discussion: Several elements have proven to be critical when addressing the pandemic scenario: a) the early creation of a crisis committee in combination with technical recommendations and the recognition of a VUCA scenario; b) identification of the strategies described; c) the integrated donor-to-patient organisational model; d) active Research and Development (R&D); and e) the flexibility of the staff. It is essential to underline the importance of the need for centralised management, effective contingency strategies, and early collaboration with peers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The organizational structure of the Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits, BST) showing how the entire value chain is integrated from donor to patient This comprehensive network allows real-time internal communication, and the simultaneous implementation of improvement and corrective measures between all the centres and services that cover the entire territory.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transfusion and stock of blood concentrates activity during the state of alarm compared with the same period in 2019
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunohaematology tests performed during the state of alarm compared with the same period in 2019
Figure 4
Figure 4
Fresh and cryopreserved cell therapy products supplied during the state of alarm compared with the same period in 2019 and 2018
Figure 5
Figure 5
Cornea (A) and musculoskeletal (B) tissue donation during the state of alarm compared with the same period in 2019
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Johns Hopkins University. COVID 19 dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) Johns Hopkins University. [Accessed on 28/10/2020]. Available at: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html.
    1. Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado. [Accessed on 28/10/2020]. Available at: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2020-3692. [In Spanish.]
    1. Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado. [Accessed on 28/10/2020]. Available at: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2005/09/16/1088. [In Spanish]
    1. Generalitat de Catalunya. Open data and COVID-19. 2020. [Accessed on 28/10/2020]. Available at: http://governobert.gencat.cat/en/dades_obertes/dades-obertes-covid-19/in....

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