Blood stocks
Blood stock status
The stock status is Amber for group O red cells, positive and negative.
The stock status is Pre-amber for B negative, A positive red cells; A negative platelets.
Stock status explained
The National Blood Transfusion Committee's (NBTC) shortage plans for red cells, and platelets outline four phases for the supply of blood to hospitals, supported by a framework of actions for NHSBT and hospitals at each phase. The phases are:
- Green when circumstances are normal and where supply meets demand
- Pre-Amber when there is reduced availability of blood for a short or a prolonged period
- Amber when there is reduced availability of blood for a short or a prolonged period which impacts on clinical activity
- Red when there are severe, prolonged shortages which impact on clinical activity
Best practice
Please refer to:
- Patient Blood Management initiatives
- Blood Stocks Management inventory management
The stock we have available to issue is:
![](https://nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-assets-corp/33932/26-july-24-blood-stocks-web-asset.jpg)
Red blood cell stock levels - text version
O- 2.04 days, A- 10.72 days, B- 3.19 days, AB- 5.56 days, O+ 3.74 days, A+ 4.74 days, B+ 5.66 days, AB+ 11.42 days
We aim to maintain 6 days of stock for red blood cells.
![](https://nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-assets-corp/33933/26-july-24-platelets-stocks-web-asset.jpg)
Platelet stock levels - text version
O- 2.27 days, A- 1.37 days, B- 2.11 days, AB- 2.56 days, O+ 1.59 days, A+ 1.95 days, B+ 1.90 days, AB+ 3.14 days
We aim to maintain a minimum of 1 days' stock for platelets (except AB-).
When stocks are low we may need to offer substitutions (PDF 141KB) based on best transfusion practice.