Introduction:

Blood banks were not exempt from the effects of COVID-19 on health systems.

Objective:

To describe the performance of the activities of the transfusion chain during the confrontation with this pandemic.

Methods:

Retrospective descriptive research carried out in the province of Cienfuegos, in two periods, pre-pandemic and pandemic. Through documentary review, the variables were studied: confirmed cases of COVID-19, inventory of erythrocyte concentrates, whole blood donations in fixed, provisional, mobile and apheresis locations, reactive donations in serological screening, blood components produced and transfused, transfused patients. The information obtained was expressed in absolute and relative frequency and in summary measures for quantitative variables.

Results:

There was a reduction in the number of donations collected, especially in provisional sites and mobile units, the number of blood components produced and transfused decreased, as well as the number of patients transfused and units administered per transfusion act. However, an increase in serological reactivity was observed in screening for infectious diseases in blood donors.

Conclusions:

The observed changes show the influence of external factors located outside the health systems on the availability of blood. The lessons learned in the management and organization of blood establishments during the pandemic outline guidelines for the safe, efficient and timely performance of transfusion chain services based on better management.

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