{"id":14553,"date":"2026-04-28T12:02:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/?p=14553"},"modified":"2026-04-30T10:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T14:05:24","slug":"step-1-determining-your-inventory-for-blood-components-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transfusionontario.org\/en\/step-1-determining-your-inventory-for-blood-components-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Determining Your Inventory for Blood Components"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Using historical utilization and evidence\u2011based tools to set appropriate target inventory levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why determining inventory matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Effective inventory management is essential for balancing patient care, safety, and maintaining an adequate blood supply across Ontario hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section provides tools to help facilities assess usage patterns and determine optimal inventory levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Principles of Inventory Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BALANCE<\/td>STEWARDSHIP<\/td>CONTINUOUS MONITORING<\/td>VALUE RESOURCE<\/td><\/tr>
Maintain inventory sufficient for daily\/emergency needs while avoiding unnecessary stockpiling.1<\/sup><\/strong><\/td>Avoid overstocking or stockpiling to reduce unnecessary discards due to outdating or waste.<\/td>Monitor inventory at regular intervals. Adjust inventory when hospital services or surgical volumes change.2<\/sup><\/strong><\/td>Treat blood components as a valuable and limited resources.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Quality Indicators for Monitoring Inventory Levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Rate of Outdating Components:<\/span>
    \"KPIHigh outdating suggests overstocking, while low rates may indicate inadequate inventory if redistribution is not performed at your hospital.  Review the provincial utilization graphs to compare outdate rates. Goal is to be meeting or below the provincial average.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Number of Urgent Requests<\/span>
    Frequent \u201cSTAT\u201d requests to blood supplier may indicate insufficient inventory level.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Frequency of Redistribution of Components.<\/span>
    Excessive redistribution to maintain low outdate rate may indicate unnecessarily high inventory levels. Review the provincial utilization graphs<\/a> graphs to compare outdate rates. Goal is to be meeting or below the provincial average.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Tools to Determine Appropriate Inventory Levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"InventoryUtilizing the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) portal3<\/sup> to report monthly disposition of blood components and products helps hospitals recognize success and improvement in their blood utilization practices. One of the tools provided is the automatic calculation of average daily demand for components and a suggested days on hand estimation tool. In Ontario, it is highly encouraged for all hospitals to report their monthly disposition. For those sites that may not access this portal below are some ways to determine your inventory targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    \n Red Blood Cells (RBC)<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Weekly Usage<\/td>\n Track weekly RBC usage by ABO and Rh type over six months. Exclude the highest week and calculate the average for ideal <\/a>stock<\/a>[TC1]<\/a> [LA2]<\/a> . Ideal weekly inventory = # of units used\/ (# of weeks tracked \u2013 1)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Average Daily Red Cell Demand (ADRD)<\/em><\/td>\n Record daily usage by ABO and Rh type over one quarterCalculate the average daily red cell demand (ADRD) Average daily redcell demand = # of units used\/90 days (4)<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><\/strong> Use 6 to 9 days on hand (DOH) <\/a>[LA3]<\/a> x ADRD as your optimal inventory, adjusting for distance to the blood supplier (e.g., 10-12 DOH x ADRD for more remote sites)If you are closer to blood supplier (<1hour) a 6 DOH x ADRD would be reasonable<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Inventory Calculator<\/td>\n Tools like ORBCoN\u2019s RBC calculator<\/a> provide quick estimates based on annual transfusion numbers. Customize ABO proportions to reflect local patient population or use the Canadian distribution of blood groups5 <\/sup>to create your estimated inventory. The calculator will calculate 1-day up to 10-day inventory. Tips: <\/strong><\/strong> Minimum inventory should support basic emergency patient care, typically at least 4 group O Rh-positive and 2 group O Rh-negative. Adjustments may depend on patient demographics, proximity to other hospitals, the frequency of transfusions, and delivery times from the blood supplier.If a 10-day inventory calculation yields fewer than 2 units, it is generally unnecessary to routinely stock that blood group and Rh type. It is best practice to order group and Rh specific RBCs on demand for patient use, when possible, rather than using non-group specific units.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n \n \n \n \n \n
    \n Platelets (PLT)<\/strong><\/a>\n [LA4]<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Average Daily Platelet Demand<\/td>\n Not all hospitals need to stock platelets. Order as needed from the blood supplier. Hospitals with frequent or large trauma programs may choose to maintain on-site inventory to reduce delays and limit the need for frequent deliveries.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Inventory Calculator<\/td>\n Tools like ORBCoN\u2019s PLT calculator<\/a> provide quick estimates based on average daily usage. While PLT demand can vary daily, the tool uses annual usage data to provide a starting point or validate current inventory levels. Tips:<\/strong><\/strong> In general, a 1 to 2 DOH is optimal.Standing orders may be offered by the blood supplier to help hospitals maintain inventory levels to maximize ordering and delivery efficiencies.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Managing Inventory During Blood Shortages<\/a>[KS5]<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"ShortageDuring shortages, hospitals should adjust inventory to maximize total blood inventory available provincially, for life-threatening cases. The Ontario Hospital Toolkit for Emergency Blood Management6<\/sup> provides detailed guidance to determine appropriate target levels of inventory during the different phases of a blood shortage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n \n
    \n
    \n Green Phase = Optimal Inventory\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n \"\"\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n
    \n Green Advisory Phase (reduce by 10%)<\/em> = Monitor inventory closely\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n \"\"\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n
    \n Amber Phase (reduce by 25%)<\/em> = Reduce inventory to conserve supply\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n \"\"\n <\/div>\n\n \n
    \n
    \n Red Phase (reduce by 75%)<\/em> = Emergency level inventory only\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
    \n\t