In a disaster or emergency situation, New York Blood Center (NYBC) intends to conduct business as usual to the greatest extent possible. However, some circumstances may require us to invoke contingency plans, including modified shipping schedules.
Our goal is to meet the needs of patients by maintaining adequate inventories at all times and providing real-time inventory and distribution management in response to an emergency. We will move excess inventory to where it is needed most urgently without compromising any individual hospital’s critical blood supply. NYBC’s extended network includes partner blood centers on the east coast and in the midwest ready to provide extra support in case of regional disasters.
During emergencies, you should first attempt to communicate your blood needs to us through regular channels. If your hospital uses our on-line ordering system, you should continue to use this method if internet access is available.
If you are unable to reach us through the Customer Care Center, please contact one of these key staff for assistance:
If there is advance warning, such as in most weather-related events, NYBC will contact you to plan well ahead of time to confirm you have the blood inventory you need. If we perform clinical procedures in your hospital, our clinical scheduling group will work with you to on a plan for patient procedures.
NYBC routinely moves blood within its network that includes Blood Centers on the east coast and in the midwest. We will immediately evaluate our capacity to meet your needs with local inventory and through our in-network partners. We will also contact the AABB Disaster Response Task Force and request additional assistance if needed.
NYBC actively participates with key government and professional organizations to maintain emergency communication channels and to provide a coordinated response. NYBC monitors communications sent via the Hospital Emergency Radio Network. NYBC staff carry Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) Cards to facilitate travel on roadways in local disasters.
Information sharing and response is coordinated with the following groups:
Disaster Plan for Hospitals (PDF)
