The cold weather has caused a drop in blood donors across the nation, putting an increased strain on local supplies — including at Southcoast Hospitals.
During the month of February the Southcoast Blood Bank will give anyone who donates a special Southcoast Blood Bank "I'm a donor" T-shirt.
Local residents can donate blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank, located off the main lobby of St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford or visit the Southcoast Health Van.
Southcoast helps residents sign up for Commonwealth Care
If you live in Massachusetts and don't have health insurance, the state's new Commonwealth Care plans can cover most of your health needs — and your family's — at little or no cost.
Southcoast only accepts BMC HealthNet and Neighborhood Health Plan, the plans that offer you the most choice and access to the region's largest and most advanced health care system.
You may be eligible for Commonwealth Care if your income is less than 300 percent of the poverty level.
Get started today by calling the Southcoast Hospitals Patient Financial Services Department.
Sign-up days will be held in March and April at all three hospitals.
Blood Bank earns national accreditation
The three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group have been granted accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).
Accreditation follows an intensive onsite assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of medical, technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the AABB.
"The AABB accreditation reflects the high level of professional proficiency achieved by the Southcoast Blood Bank and transfusion services," said Maureen Brown, Laboratory Site Manager at St. Luke's and Tobey Hospitals.
"The procedures are voluntary and demonstrate Southcoast's commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and the high quality patient and donor care."
