(1/11/99)

The nation's blood supply is critically low. And many Utah hospitals are just an operation away from running out. News Specialist Stacey Butler has more.

It's something hospitals see more than they care to-- too many patients and not enough blood. But right now the shortage is worse than ever. Hospitals that usually carry a three to four day supply of blood have little more than a day's supply stored up. And Utah is no exception.

The holidays are typically a time when blood donations pour into the Red Cross from around the nation. But this year, rough weather has kept many would-be donors at home.

Gary Ouellette, American Red Cross, Utah:"STORMS IN THE MIDWEST HAVE HURT BLOOD SUPPLY AND WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO HELP OUT."

Many hospitals along the Wasatch Front say their blood supply is dwindling-- and a single trauma case or an organ transplant can consume an entire area's supply of a particular blood type in one night. Officials at LDS Hospital-a level one trauma center--have their concerns.

Jess Gomez, LDS Hospital:"ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT WE CAN SEE TWO OR THREE MAJOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. COUPLE UPON THAT SOME SURGERY PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF BLOOD, IT CAN BE A HAIRY SITUATION."

Red Cross officials say this isn't the first time they've seen a blood shortage, but it may be the worst. Monday the local Red Cross held a press conference asking for donations.

Gary Oullette:"WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP AND THE PUBLIC IN UTAH TO STEP FORWARD AS YOU ALWAYS HAVE."

Local hospital officials aren't sure if there's enough blood to handle a crisis.

Jess Gomez, LDS Hospital:"IF THERE WAS A HUGE DEMAND TONIGHT OR IN THE MORNING WOULD IT BE DIFFICULT IN MEETING THAT? WE DON'T KNOW, WE WOULD HOPE THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN."T