CDH's blood donor service draws to a close

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - In an attempt to save money, officials at Cooley Dickinson Hospital have decided to discontinue its blood donor program.

Starting today, the hospital will no longer offer in-house blood donation services and the future of the Cooley Dickinson Bloodmobile is unclear. The closing will result in an unknown number of job losses at the Locust Street hospital, according to spokeswoman Christina Trinchero.

"There will be layoffs associated with this closure, but I don't have a specific number at this time," Trinchero said.

Craig N. Melin, the hospital's president and CEO, said in a statement the decision to close the program is a cost-cutting measure and comes at a time when hospitals across the state are pressed by escalating health-care costs and decreasing payments.

Although the program previously provided a source of revenue for the hospital, the cost of running it has increased. Free of those costs, and with substantially lower prices on blood bought in larger volume, the hospital should see a considerable savings over the long term, Trinchero said.

In the hospital's press release, Melin said he hopes those savings will allow the hospital to funnel more resources into services that only a community hospital can provide, and that services such as blood acquisition are "better left to agencies that have a greater economy of scale and can give a higher degree of specialization."

To maintain a blood supply for surgery and transfusions, the hospital has temporarily contracted with an unidentified outside agency for its blood and has entered into talks with several local organizations who might provide a longer-term solution.

"We know and appreciate that there are many people in this community who are committed to donating blood," Catherine Reed, the hospital's director of laboratory services, said in a statement. "While discussions are preliminary, we are working with several outside agencies who may fill this need locally."

The American Red Cross still handles blood donations and supplies local hospitals, according to the Pioneer Valley chapter's Web site.

The hospital, the release states, plans to call area residents who have donated 10 gallons of blood or more to notify them of the change.

It will also mail all blood donors a letter notifying them of the changes in service. Additional letters will be sent to businesses and organizations that have hosted the hospital's Bloodmobile in the past.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.