(Spencer)– Spencer Municipal Hospital is changing its blood service affiliation.
Starting October 1st, SMH will receive its blood supply and components from the Siouxland Community Blood Bank in Sioux City. Previously, the hospital was supplied by the American Red Cross in St. Paul.
Meredith Johnson, director of laboratory services at Spencer Municipal Hospital, says the national Red Cross implemented a significant price increase for blood and blood products which the St. Paul Red Cross affiliate had no choice but to pass on to customers. Johnson says the Spencer hospital didn’t feel the increases should be passed on to patients, and the switch was made.
