UnityPoint in QC switches blood supplier

Jonathan Turner
·3 min read

LifeServe Blood Center and UnityPoint Health have added seven hospitals across eastern Iowa and western Illinois to their already existing partnership.

LifeServe Blood Center, ranked as one of the top 15 blood centers in the country, will become the sole supplier of all blood and blood products to UnityPoint Health entities in Iowa and Illinois, according to a news release.

A mobile blood drive from LifeServe Blood Center.
A mobile blood drive from LifeServe Blood Center.

The expanded partnership, which is effective June 1, includes the following UnityPoint Health hospitals, and associated facilities:

  • UnityPoint Health – Trinity Bettendorf

  • UnityPoint Health – Trinity Moline

  • UnityPoint Health – Trinity Muscatine

  • UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island

LifeServe Blood Center provides 100 percent of all blood products needed to more than 170 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois. This expanded partnership between LifeServe and UnityPoint Health allows residents and community members in and around Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and the Quad Cities the opportunity to save lives in their neighborhood, the company release said.

The demand for blood surges during the summer months, fueled by increased accidents, surgeries, and medical emergencies. Tragedy can strike at a moment’s notice, even amidst warmer weather.

“Hospital personnel see firsthand the need for blood and blood products as we work to take care of our patients daily,” said Amy Job, UnityPoint Health Enterprise Laboratory Services Executive Director. “We look forward to working with LifeServe to make sure our patient needs are met with the help of our local community members and generous volunteer blood donors.

ImpactLife formerly served the UnityPoint hospitals in the Quad Cities and Muscatine (bloodcenter.org).
ImpactLife formerly served the UnityPoint hospitals in the Quad Cities and Muscatine (bloodcenter.org).

Amanda Hess, vice president of donor relations and marketing for Davenport-based ImpactLife, said by email:

“We are disappointed that UnityPoint Health chose another blood services organization as their primary supplier. ImpactLife remains committed to providing products and patient services to our local communities. Notably, LifeServe has already requested our support for their summer blood inventory demands, and we are stocked and prepared for this summer’s heavy ‘trauma season’ to cover the local and regional blood supply needs,” she said.

“Nationally, there is a trend towards consolidating supplier/provider relationships within health systems. UnityPoint Health, based in Des Moines, has worked with both LifeServe and ImpactLife as their blood providers,” Hess said. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, ImpactLife remains committed to our mission of delivering high-quality products and exceptional level of service to our communities.”

“With this expanded partnership our organization moves to a single blood supplier for all UnityPoint Health facilities in Iowa and Illinois,” UnityPoint spokesman Kevin Kirkpatrick said Friday by email. “This standardization of services and supports allows us to better serve our patients and communities.”

As a leading supplier of blood products and services in the U.S., ImpactLife continues to support hundreds of local hospitals, emergency medical services, and clinicians in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Its partnerships include prestigious institutions such as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, OSF HealthCare, and Carle Health Hospitals, where many residents receive acute and ongoing care.

LifeServe Blood Center is a nonprofit, community-based blood center that has served the needs of local hospitals and patients since 1947. As one of the 15 largest blood centers in the country, LifeServe provides blood products to 170 hospitals primarily in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois. LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients.

For more information about LifeServe, click HERE. For more information about ImpactLife, click HERE.

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