Regional
The role of Hong Kong nursing staff in blood collection services during disaster
CCY Chu
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong
JSY Kong
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong
CK Lee
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, nurses at the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (HKRCBTS) play a pivotal role in safeguarding the city’s blood supply. In addition to the proficiency in venipuncture and donor health screening, they also manage public expectation through counselling and emotional support while operating blood collection service. The unique role of nurses at blood service can be highlighted at multiple levels at times of crisis.
The fire on 26 November 2025 at an estate of 8 blocks with more than 1900 households in Tai Po causing 160 death and 79 injuries. Devastated and grief-stricken, Hong Kong people stood in solidarity with the victims and immediately called for a blood donation appeal. Long queues were seen at all blood donation venues with up to 3 hours waiting time. The donation number tripled on the day after the fire and the public support to the appeal continued. This sudden and massive surge in blood donations posed a significant operational challenge and thereby the territory wide blood inventory.
Queue at TWC
Queue at Tai Po
Operational Management
Key roles and responsibilities during disaster include crowd control with massive surge and influx of blood donors. While managing donors’ expectation, nurses at site must keep up with accredited blood collection practices. An open dialogue with donors and general public on waiting time, current inventory level, shelf life of blood products, and the importance of regular donation could help building a sustainable and stable inventory and blood supply. Nurses-in-charge at collection venues adopted a flexible quota system to serve donors at their maximal capacity (both physical constraint within the venues and human resources). At the same time, they reported regularly to the back office so that additional manpower and resources could be deployed on time if needed. At office, nursing managers work with laboratory to review clinical demand, processing and storage capacities. Externally, as the disaster and long queue drew much media attention, further liaison through our publicity managers is crucially important in order to minimize impact on the service.
Nursing Staff as Emotional Anchors and Public Trust
When one rolls up his or her sleeves to donate blood during disaster, one would expect to be achievable and relatable. In reality, people will be frustrated and bewildered when they realize themselves ineligible to donate due to various health conditions. With empathy and clear communication, our nurses acknowledged their goodwill, counselled on the reasons of deferral and encouraged them to come back in the future. This approach could not only comfort the public but also serve a key to maintain a long-term relationship with us. Future appointments were arranged for those who could not donate blood within days of crisis. While upholding blood safety, our nurses swiftly evolve as an emotional anchor for the public in the aftermath of disaster. Lastly, many lapsed donors came back to donate which offer an excellent opportunity to re-engage them for future needs.
Tai Po fire
Conclusion The perspective and impact to donors and society that nurses at blood service is much greater and transcending the stereotype of nursing role in public eyes. Equipped with blood collection knowledge, nurses at blood service are also well-trained in areas of resource management and administration. Sharing the sorrow as all Hong Kong people do, HKRCBTS nurses work tirelessly and professionally to channel the outpouring of love from our citizens into blood products to cater the anticipated higher demand in a disaster.
