Analysis and Optimization of a Regional Blood Bank Distribution Process

Using data collected by an automated blood inventory and information system, an in‐depth description of the functioning of a 31‐hospital regional blood bank system for a 10‐month period is presented. A total of 43,514 units of blood were included in this analysis. The following factors which affect the blood distribution process were studied: (1) recycling of blood units; (2) blood types; and (3) hospital inventory levels. It was found that blood recycling allows management flexibility and apparently is important in reducing blood outdating. It was shown that rare blood types are utilized differently from other types and consequently require special management practices for effective use. Ordering and recycling in the system differed greatly from hospital to hospital. The ratio of average daily inventory/average daily transfusions, was used to evaluate efficiency of hospital blood banks. In addition to analyzing those factors associated with the blood distribution process in a regional system, this study demonstrated types of information that can be derived from an automated data acquisition system.