is based on War times, when emotional appeal brought people to the Bank. We are and have experienced a great amount of difficulty in obtaining enough blood. It is true that it has been obtained at the last minute, but that is not my idea of an adequate reserve. There are large numbers of patients who require O Positive blood, and this has not been forthcoming. Surgery has had to be cancelled, and the problem has become more and more difficult. I do not see how anything can ever be accomplished by the Red Cross method of recruiting blood. The amount of blood which is being used is increasing, but donations have not been sufficiently great to provide an adequate reserve. Many of the doctors have been blamed for not cooperating with the red Cross by insisting that the patients have relatives or friends come in to replace blood, yet the Red Cross advertises that blood must be donated on a community basis."
Dr. Samson, upon being asked what they do in his Society--"First, the Red Cross has nothing to do with it; seconded, the various metropolitan counties have each now their own blood bank, which is housed in the building which holds the rest of the county offices and administered through the County Association, and is available to any hospital on a transfer credit system. I think the crux of the situation is that the patients pay for the blood. Our system work as follows:
1 pint of blood (not counting cross matching) costs patient $32.50
If he replaces one to one pint, he is given $25.00 credit.
If he replaces two to one pint, he is given complete credit.
The standard spiel we give patients is that this blood bank is a community service, and the thing for them to do is get several people down and have the blood replaced. We never seem to run short. I think the whole thing is that the blood costs the patient something, and he is encouraged to go out and get replacements."
Dr. Hugh Thompson--"The general feeling of the members of the Board of Directors at their last meeting was that the Society had quite possibly made a mistake in having the Red Cross take over this program, and that it might be dangerous to attempt a change at the present time, insofar as public relations are concerned."
Dr. Hastings--"I was a little disappointed in the turnout from Pima County at the State meeting. I thought I had arranged a good program and one of general interest which might attract more of us.
In connection with the Blood Bank business, I might point out that the Maricopa County Society has its own Blood Bank. I do not like this matter tabled, and I move that our County Society look into the feasibility of establishing our own Blood Bank, and if necessary, appoint a committee to get it rolling. I think this is a very important function of the County Society which we have delegated by indifference to the Red Cross, who do not do it the way we want it done. I move that the President of the Society be delegated to appoint a committee to establish a Pima County Blood Bank".
Motion seconded by Dr. Whitehill.
Question then raised by Dr. A.B. Thompson concerning those people who might neither be able to pay or furnish replacements, and answered by Dr. Hugh Thompson that no one goes without blood because of inability to pay. It is the responsibility of the hospital, or if given outside the hospital, the doctor, to see that blood is either replaced or paid for.
Dr. Hugh Thompson--"We have a large group of donors who would gladly give their blood for a small fee. The question is in getting people to give blood for nothing. In other words, if you have people who will pay for it, there are plenty of donors who will sell it."
Dr. Harry Thompson--"May I make an amendment to the motion made by Dr. Hastings? It is a matter of economics whether we can raise the money to establish the Blood Bank. I should like to amend Dr. Hastings' motion with a provision 'That this committee report to this body before final action is taken'."
Dr. Hastings--"My only objection is that this defers action until the October meeting."
Dr. Hugh Thompson--"I am afraid that nothing much could be accomplished in less time than that."
