Norwood Hospital Keeps Up With Blood Needs-July 8, 1969

A cornerstone of this self-sufficiency is a unique maternity policy; husbands of expectant mothers are encouraged to donate a pint of blood to the hospital bank prior to their wives’ admission. Charles Richardson, hospital administrator, emphasized that while the donation is not strictly mandatory, the hospital does “suggest cooperation.” This approach has yielded remarkable results, with Mr. Richardson reporting, “The response is quite good, 100 per cent.” Staff members note that most donors find the experience far less intimidating than they had initially anticipated.

This policy serves as a form of “human insurance” for patients. According to Mr. Richardson, “very few women ever need the blood,” but the program ensures a ready supply for emergencies while providing the hospital with a consistent source of inventory. Mrs. Joyce Wickett, supervisor of the blood bank, and other hospital staff utilize additional programs to keep the bank stocked; however, the maternity donation policy remains the most effective driver of supply levels. The system faces its greatest challenges during the mid-summer and Christmas periods, when residents are frequently away or occupied with holiday activities, leading to lower donation rates. During these annual shortages, the hospital implements stepped-up public appeals and requests that employees donate blood to bridge the gap.

A review of neighboring facilities highlights the distinct nature of the Norwood approach. The Goddard Memorial Hospital in Stoughton is currently studying a similar policy, though Dr. Antonia E. Boschetti, pathologist and director of laboratories, noted that implementation requires the cooperation of multiple departments. Currently, Goddard receives 85 percent of its blood from the Red Cross. Similarly, the Glover Memorial Hospital in Needham and the Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick rely heavily on the Red Cross. While these hospitals occasionally suggest that families arrange for blood donations prior to elective surgery, they lack the formal, proactive maternity donation programs seen in Norwood. The Newton-Wellesley Hospital operates the program most similar to Norwood’s via its “Fathers Club.” However, because their donation request is “purely voluntary,” a hospital spokesperson admitted that “probably more fathers don’t give than give,” illustrating the efficacy of Norwood’s strategy of “suggested cooperation.”

While blood itself is considered priceless, the administrative costs associated with typing, matching, storage, and transfusion remain significant. The Red Cross charges hospitals $10 per pint for these services, and the average hospital charge to a patient for transfusion administration is $20. While hospital insurance typically covers these costs, it does not replenish the blood supply itself. Dr. Alan Kliman, medical director of the Massachusetts Red Cross Blood Program, noted that the organization discourages hospitals from imposing high penalty charges—often ranging from $25 to $50—to patients who fail to provide blood donors. Through its resourceful maternity program, Norwood Hospital manages to maintain its independence while keeping costs managed for the community it serves.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger