HEALTH LIBRARY

1. Important information for blood donors:

• Blood donation is the process by which blood is collected from a healthy individual (donor) and subsequently processed, tested, and appropriately stored to be used for a patient (recipient) who requires transfusion.
• To be eligible to donate blood, it is necessary that the donor is healthy and free from illness or infection, as this could potentially harm the recipient.
• To ensure this, donor information about the health status and habits are obtained, followed by a brief medical examination. Only if the donor is found to be medically fit, can he/she donate blood.
• Donors are requested to answer all the questions honestly in the interest of the recipient, so as to ensure blood safety.
• After blood donation, the donors are given light refreshment, and advised about post donation care.
• Donors satisfied after are contacted at times of need and requested to donate for other patients.
• There are two types of blood donations at BALCO Medical Centre's Blood Bank.
  1. Whole blood donation from which random donor platelets (RDP) are made 
  2. Platelet pheresis for Single Donor Platelets (SDP).
• After whole blood donation, blood units are processed to prepare various blood components i.e., red blood cells (PRBC), platelets (RDP - whole blood donation platelets), and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The SDP procedure is done only after donor screening and so takes much more time than whole blood donation.

2. What is the eligibility for Blood Donation?

• Any healthy adult between 18-60 years of age having a minimum weight of 45 kg and body weight proportionate to the height can donate blood.
• A blood donor must be free of any disease, infection, and must be physically and mentally fit.

3. How much time is required for blood donation?

The actual donation process takes just 10-15 minutes, but the complete procedure including registration, counselling,  physical examination, post-donation care, and refreshments takes about 30-45 minutes. The other type of blood donation is SDP donation (Apheresis), which takes 1-1.5 hours.

4. Is blood donation safe?

Yes, Blood donation is a safe procedure. A medical assessment is performed by the doctor before blood donation and only if found suitable, is the donation done.

5. Does blood donation hurt?

A pin prick type pain  is perceived only when the needle is passed through, but compared to the satisfaction and good feeling after blood donation, the minor pain is negligible.

6. Does the blood donor feel weak after donating blood?

• If all there is any discomfort after blood donation, it is usually due to nervousness. As such there is no loss of energy or vitality after blood donation.
• Ensure that you take plenty of fluids that day.

7. How many times in a year blood donation is permissible?

Healthy males can safely donate blood at every 3 months interval while females can donate every 4 months. In the case of SDP donations, a two-day interval is permissible between 2 consecutive SDP procedures, with 24 maximum permissible platelet/pheresis procedures in a year.

8. Is blood donation possible during pregnancy or breast feeding?

Blood donation is not permissible during pregnancy as well as during the period of breast feeding.

9. What is Platelet apheresis (SDP) blood donation?

When only Platelets are collected from a donor using an apheresis machine, the process is called Plateletpheresis. The SDP donor has to undergo a preliminary screening, tests prior to the procedure, to determine the suitability. The complete SDP procedure takes about one and a half hours. SDP procedures are strictly by appointment to avoid long waiting hours for the donors.

10. What is the amount of blood collected during blood donation?

The quantity of blood collected depends on the body weight of the donor. Usually, 350 ml – 450 ml blood is collected from a donor whose body weight is 45 kg or more.

11. Does everyone who donates blood require the minimum volume of blood collected?

No, that volume is suitable for Plateletpheresis donation. To ensure that the donor is suitable for Plateletpheresis donation, some screening tests are performed on the donor's blood sample. These screening tests are mandatory as per our regulatory guidelines. Only those donors with acceptable test results are considered suitable for this type of donation. It takes approximately two hours for the whole procedure.

12. Does Plateletpheresis (SDP) have any advantage over RDP (Random Donor Platelets)?

SDP is a larger platelet quantity as compared to RDP, which is obtained from the usual blood donation. One plateletpheresis (SDP) unit is equivalent to six RDP units which are collected from six different donors. SDP is considered safer than RDP.  What are the common reasons for donor rejection?

Anaemia, being underweight, jaundice, active infection and medications are common reasons for deferral.

13. What are the timings for Blood Donation? 

For whole blood donation at BALCO Medical Centre  Blood Bank:

- Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 6  pm

For SDP at BALCO Medical Centre Blood Bank:

- Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 4:00 pm (Strictly appointment only). In case of emergency, this can be done out of hours also in discussion with head, blood bank. 

POST DONATION CARE

• Take plenty of fluids for the next 24-48 hours.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity, un-accustomed activity that day. Do not lift heavy objects with your donation arm 
• Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours and get a good night's rest.  
• If you feel dizzy or faint, sit or lie down immediately with your feet elevated until the feeling passes.
• In case of any problem related to blood donation, kindly contact the blood bank doctor at 9874592738.