Blood transfusions offer a critical lifeline for patients with conditions such as sickle cell disease, those undergoing chemotherapy, or those with traumatic hemorrhage. Blood supply is an essential part of the healthcare system, but a shortage in blood supply along with a growing trend of laboratory staff burnout and position vacancies is placing a threat on the industry’s ability to provide safe, reliable blood to the patients that need it most. Understanding the critical role that lab staff play in the success of transfusion medicine and taking measures to improve staff morale can help ensure a strong blood supply.

Blood Supply: A Lifeline for Patients

Blood can be supplied either as whole blood or as components, such as platelets and plasma, with each serving a specific purpose in healthcare.¹ The majority of platelet donations are used to help people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, because treatment can damage a patient’s bone marrow and decrease the ability to produce platelets, increasing the risk of severe bleeding.² Other uses of blood donation are for patients with inherited disorders who need frequent transfusions, like sickle cell disease or thalassemia, as well as patients with conditions like liver disease or kidney disease.

But blood is also critical for patients experiencing acute trauma, like postpartum hemorrhage or a victim of a car crash.³ Blood donation can also be beneficial to the donor. Some patients with hemochromatosis, who have too much iron in their blood, have found that donating blood helps alleviate their condition.³ Blood transfusions are critical for many different patients, but not all patients who need blood transfusions have access to them.

Shortages in the Global Blood Supply

Blood donations rely on people, as there is currently no other source of blood or synthetic substitute that can assist people in need of transfusions. Unfortunately, less than 3% of the eligible population in the U.S. donate blood, even though around 90% of the population will need blood at some point in their lifetime.¹ The shortage of blood globally can have significant adverse effects, given that disciplines like obstetrics, pediatrics, hematology, oncology, emergency medicine, and surgery all depend on blood transfusions.² For instance, some patients with sickle cell disease may have to wait longer for treatment due to available blood being needed for patients with acute traumatic injuries. While we still don’t have a replacement for human blood, it’s essential to work to improve the global blood supply to ensure patients can get the care they need.

But the availability of blood isn’t the only factor impacting patient access to blood. Staffing shortages, which are occurring across the healthcare industry, are also affecting transfusion medicine, particularly clinical laboratories. Labs are being asked to do more with less budget and staff, putting an increased burden on already overworked staff. A 2024 report by QuidelOrtho found that only 12% of laboratory technologists reported they were highly likely to remain in the diagnostics field, with job dissatisfaction driven by low wages, long hours, intense pressure and less respect than their healthcare peers, among several other factors, all of which can contribute to burnout. There is also a risk of creating a cycle that includes declines in workplace morale, employment levels, and the ability to attract new workers.⁴ The same report found that 65% of all respondents felt that addressing the current diagnostic healthcare workforce shortage will require a far greater commitment from senior hospital leadership.⁵ To build a resilient, reliable transfusion medicine industry, we also need to focus on how we can support lab staff.²

Addressing Staffing Shortages and Empowering Lab Professionals

One way to address staffing shortages is to invest in automated solutions that support staff and reduce time-consuming, labor-intensive and repetitive workflows. Automated blood testing solutions are a proven way for labs to reduce staff burden without compromising quality. These systems can automate up to 99% of a blood bank's workload, improving lab efficiency by eliminating manual processes and reducing the risk of human error. For example, using an analyzer to perform antigen typing is another way technologists can free up their hands for other tasks and better facilitate adherence to regulatory requirements. Automation can also help minimize patient wait times by enabling faster test turnaround.² Lab workflow management systems and access to more comprehensive testing panels can also help improve efficiency and ensure the security of the blood supply.

Beyond new technologies, healthcare systems can do more to address low workplace morale in labs. Building morale through shared commitment among leadership and staff to the organization's mission, the impact of their work, and patient care can foster a sense of unity among staff. QuidelOrtho’s report found that 80% of lab technicians cite greater personal recognition as the most critical workplace improvement. Elevating recognition for lab teams can be an easy and effective way to improve morale and positively impact retention in the short- and long-term.⁴ Other areas can include training innovations that can improve the efficiency of getting lab staff familiar with the equipment used in their role, better adoption of new technologies that can streamline and accelerate workflows, clearer career ladder frameworks to develop and promote lab staff, and improving the visibility and perception of the value of diagnostics as a profession.⁴ Ultimately, excellent patient care requires both a healthy workplace culture and innovative technologies.⁵

For patients with chronic diseases and acute trauma, blood transfusions are essential. But the steady blood supply faces mounting pressure. Across the country, blood shortages and rising burnout and vacancies among laboratory staff threaten the system’s ability to deliver safe, reliable care. Recognizing the indispensable role lab professionals play and investing in their morale and retention are key to protecting the nation’s blood supply for those who depend on it most.

Sources

1. Casey, Josh. “How the U.S. Blood Supply Provides a Lifeline to Patients Across the Nation.” QuidelOrtho. January 30, 2025. https://www.quidelortho.com/us/en/resources/articles/how-the-us-blood-supply-provides-a-lifeline-to-patients-across-the-nation
2. QuidelOrtho. “#48: Bloodlines: The Connection Between Blood Donation and Patient Health.” QuidelOrtho Science Bytes Podcast. June 18, 2025. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-b3hed-18dd855
3. QuidelOrtho. “#36: The Surprising Benefits of Becoming a Repeat Blood Donor.” QuidelOrtho Science Bytes Podcast. June 12, 2023. https://www.quidelortho.com/us/en/resources/podcasts/The-Surprising-Benefits-of-Becoming-a-Repeat-Blood-Donor
4. Hanson, Bryan. “What’s Behind Today’s Clinical Laboratory Staffing Shortage?” Select Science. January 14, 2025. Accessed October 23, 2025. https://www.selectscience.net/article/what-s-behind-today-s-clinical-laboratory-staffing-shortage
5. Hanson, Bryan. “Patient Care and the Cost of Turnover in the Clinical Laboratory.” Medical Economics, 20 Feb. 2025. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/patient-care-and-the-cost-of-turnover-in-the-clinical-laboratory