Miller-Keystone Blood Center

Miller-Keystone Blood Center is in urgent need of blood donations as hospitals have resumed elective surgeries.

In March, local community hospitals postponed elective surgeries as their facilities dealt with the impact of COVID-19. On April 27, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released guidance to provide a process for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities to resume elective surgeries, procedures and admissions. Local hospitals have now resumed elective surgeries, such as knee or hip replacements. As a result, the need for red cells, platelets and plasma has increased. It is critical individuals in the community donate blood to meet the transfusion needs of hospitals. Blood is perishable and there is no substitute – the only source is the volunteer blood donor. Platelets have a five day shelf life and are very difficult to keep available. Red blood cells have a 42 day shelf life but are quickly depleted especially if there is no one available to replenish the supply.

As organizations begin to resume operations, Miller-Keystone Blood Center has started to schedule on-site bloodmobile drives. Any organization wishing to make the arrangements for an on-site bloodmobile drive can contact the Blood Center at 800-223-6667 to speak with an account manager.

Miller-Keystone Blood Center has expanded hours of operation at six regional donor centers to accommodate the ongoing transfusion needs of local hospitals. The donor center in Trenton maintains its regular operating hours.

Going to a blood center or blood drive is safe. Necessary “social distancing” recommendations are maintained at the centers. While walk-in donations are typically welcome and appreciated as time permits, an appointment-only policy is temporarily implemented.

All blood center equipment is decontaminated between uses and everything that touches blood is sterile and disposable, including blood bags, needles and test tubes.

All signature pads, tables and tablets are sanitized/disinfected between use.

Staff wear protective equipment according to regulatory requirements, including gloves and face shields.

Donors are requested to complete their medical screening online prior to arriving for a scheduled appointment. Blood donors must bring and wear a mask during their donation.