COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and approaches in blood transfusions

One of the goals of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization is to provide adequate healthy blood and reduce the risk of various viral and bacterial transmission infections. With the removal of alternative blood donation, all blood units and blood products are provided through voluntary blood donation in Iran. The Blood Transfusion Organization screens the donated blood according to standard guidelines to ensure blood recipients and physicians of providing healthy and pathogen-free components. With the emergence of novel pathogens, such as the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, despite Iranchr('39')s self-sufficiency in blood supply and blood products, the number of blood donors has decreased significantly since there is a lack of comprehensive information on pathophysiology and virus transmission ways. Moreover, the existence of some shortages in screening programs can cause problems. Therefore, this study was performed to review the studies conducted investigating this emerging virus regarding blood transfusions and the supply of blood components worldwide.