The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and The Alabama Hospital Association (ALAHA) released a report today detailing the decrease in trauma-related deaths in Alabama from 2006-2011, the last full year figures were available. ADPH and ALAHA credited the fact that Alabama established a statewide trauma system in March 2007 with this drop in fatalities.

“We know that about 80 percent of Alabama’s trauma cases are a result of motor vehicle accidents,” Dr. John Campbell, retired State Emergency Services Medical Director, said. “This report shows that our efforts to improve emergency response and treatment have been effective in reducing fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents.”

A trauma system is a coordinated system of care that includes emergency medical technicians, a trauma communications system, hospital emergency department staff, trauma surgeons and other physicians who provide needed surgical and other care.

A cold front moving through the Southeast that is predicted to bring snow to major portions of Alabama and Georgia is also expected to further impact a blood shortage across the region.

Galen Unold, director of donor recruitment and retention with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, says the cold front and snow will mean blood drives in many affected communities could be canceled.

“This is coming at a time when supplies were already low because of reduced donations during the winter holidays,” Unold said. “Meanwhile, blood usage at many of our hospitals is far above normal, making the shortage even more serious.”

Unold said all blood types are needed, but blood types AB-positive and negative, and O-negative are in shortest supply. He said all the LifeSouth donor centers expect to be open on Friday, and where possible the bloodmobiles will be available for donors.

The American Red Cross currently has an urgent need for types O negative and B negative blood donations.  The distribution of those blood types are outpacing donations, creating an urgent need.

The American Red Cross’ mission is to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for all patients through voluntary donations.