January 11, 2024- National Blood Donor Month is an ideal time to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and explore some of the innovations that are helping to make the process more accessible.
Every two seconds, a patient in the United States requires blood or platelets for a critical procedure such as a lifesaving surgery, cancer treatment, or the management of a debilitating chronic illness. In fact, blood transfusion is one of the most common hospital procedures. Yet, even with this crucial need, only about 3% of the eligible population donates blood.
Technological advancements are significantly reshaping the landscape of blood donation— helping to address the critical need for blood donors and the essential task of identifying blood types. Here are just a few innovations that are advancing and improving this field:
- Microfluidic Chips
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Easing Stress with Mixed Reality Experiences