Inventory management: connecting one arm to another

Blood collection and transfusion should be matched to prevent wastage and shortage. Communication and data gathering between hospital and blood center are essential tools. Each needs to gather data to work with the other to link collection to transfusion. Appropriate transfusion triggers, inventory management and blood ordering will minimize wastage. Modeling supply and demand in conjunction with each other can minimize shortages. Platelet planning is critical given the short shelf life of platelets. Data sharing and benchmarking between and among hospitals and blood centers can lead to better overall inventory management.