KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF) – To date, MEDIC has had 85 drives cancel with an estimated loss of over 2500 products.  As a result, MEDIC encourages all donors to make an appointment at one of its four donor centers.  You can do so online HERE.  Click the donate tab and then on the center in which you’d like to donate.  You can also call 865-524-3074.

MEDIC Action Steps:

  • Donors at the four donor centers and all mobile drives will be seen by appointment only until further notice.
    • This will allow donors to follow the 6’ recommendations for distance from others.
    • This will also allow donor flow to be smooth and reduce wait times.
  • Temporary Inside Mobile Drive at Morristown Utilities:
    • March 30 – April 11
    • 441 West Main, Morristown, TN 37814
    • Monday through Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
    • Saturday – 8 AM to 2 PM
    • This location will see donors by appointment only.
    • Please call 865-524-3074 or go online to schedule an appointment.
  • As blood is an essential resource for the healthcare system, and in an abundance of caution to protect the health and wellness of both our donors and collections staff, we have implemented the use of N95 masks so that we can continue to collect blood through the COVID-19 situation.
  • Staff, donors and visitors undergo a daily check-in upon arrival at any facility or mobile drive.
    • The check-in includes a temperature check as well as answering questions on about if they feel healthy and well and if someone in the household has been diagnosed with COVID-19/Coronavirus.
    • Temperature must be 99.5 degrees or less to continue.
  • MEDIC has setup waiting areas so that donors are separated and not sitting next to one another.
  • Donors may be asked to wait in their car until we are ready to screen them.
  • We will not allow more than two donors on a bus at one time.
  • We are asking donors to please continue to check the mobile drive schedule daily as the schedule can change.

 General Information:

  • MEDIC is not a healthcare provider and thus does not provide a coronavirus test nor do we test for COVID-19 antibodies.
  • After completing the initial check-in, each donor goes through a mini physical that includes a temperature check as well as a visual check on the donor’s well-being. We look for coughing, nose draining or if the donor is having a hard time breathing.
  • Individuals should not donate if they are feeling ill.
  • Donors are asked a series of questions that include whether they have traveled outside the country.
  • MEDIC follows appropriate infection control standards of donor rooms and mobile buses and uses single-use equipment for collection procedures.
  • Blood collected at MEDIC is always tested for various infectious diseases.
  • Blood donation is not a mass gathering or social event.
  • MEDIC is following Knox County Health Department guidelines and updates.
  • According to the FDA, there is no known risk of transmission of COVID-19 through the blood donation process or from blood transfusions.
  • According to the FDA, there is no intrinsic risk of the safety of the blood supply, but there is risk to the availability of blood for patients in need because of an increase in cancelled donation appointments and blood drives.
  • The blood on the shelves right now is the blood that would be used in a trauma/disaster situation, for surgeries and for cancer patients in need of a blood transfusion due to treatments.
  • MEDIC serves 25 hospitals in 22 counties.
  • It is imperative that healthy and well individuals continue to donate in the coming weeks.
  • We encourage all donors to make an appointment at one of our four donor centers:
    • Online HERE.  Click the donate tab and then on the center in which you’d like to donate
    • Call 865-524-3074 (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/26/2020-3PM)

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