Omaha hospitals navigate national blood vial shortage

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) There’s a national shortage of blood vials. They are the small bottles used by hospitals to store blood.

“In which we take blood from patients to look for infections particularly bacteria growing in the blood,” Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, Nebraska Medical Center said. “The shortage means that we don’t have the same capacity and are at risk to not be able to perform that standard test.”

Dr. Cawcutt told 6 News patients who often need these tests are showing signs of a bacteria infection known as Sepsis and it often comes with flu-like symptoms. Those at risk are usually adults older than 65 and those with a weak immune system, or chronic condition.

“We’ve been able to maintain a supply to continue to provide that standard of care for our patients, Cawcutt said. “However, we’re constantly working to minimize any excess waste of those bottles and are used appropriately to continue providing that excellent standard of care.”

Cawcutt said they’ve decreased their use of the blood vials by 30%.

“Looking at multiple different ways to continue to do blood cultures if we’re unable to get more bottles at some point during this shortage,” Cawcutt said.

CHI Health and Methodist Health System stated they’re not impacted, but Methodist is taking preventative measures and told six news in a quote:

“We are aware and have worked collaboratively with our infectious disease team over the last few weeks to provide blood culture utilization guidance, while assuring patient care standards.”

While Nebraska Medicine said the shortage impacted their operations, it did not impact patient care.

“We’ve been making changes since early July,” Cawcutt said. ”It is not something in which I would want patients to feel like they cannot come to our clinics or hospitals because they can’t get a test they need. "

The shortage did not impact other hospitals like Children’s Nebraska or Madonna Rehabilitation center.

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