| |
|
Blood Bank -
Frequently Asked
Questions |
|
|
1.
Where does blood donation take place? |
|
Blood donation takes place in our hospital’s Blood Bank, located on
the second floor of the ACTC building. The donations can be
scheduled between 9 am and 12 midnight on all working days. |
|
|
|
2.
What arrangements do I need to make for my patient’s blood
transfusion needs? |
|
You will need up to 5 blood donors, depending on the nature of
surgery. The donors should be known to you and should be donating
blood for no other motive but to help a fellow human being. |
|
|
|
3.
Do I need to arrange for donors of the same group as the patients? |
|
That should be your best effort. The Blood Bank may accept other
groups if inventory permits. |
|
|
|
4. What are the criteria for an eligible blood donor? |
|
Donors should be between 18 and
60 years of age, healthy, at least 45 kg. In
weight and with a haemoglobin count of 12.5 g/dl
or more.
Donors can only donate blood 3 months after their last donation.
Hypertensives on medication and diabetics on insulin are excluded.
Donors can arrive after their usual breakfast, avoiding fatty food,
such as milk. |
|
|
|
5.
What happens when I arrive to donate blood? |
|
The donor is required to fill up a questionnaire stating his/her
identity details and medical history. |
|
Simple tests such as haemoglobin screening is done to exclude donors
with haemoglobin count below 12.5 g/dl.
Blood grouping is also done.
Vital sign measurements, including blood pressure, are made.
The blood donor proceeds to the blood donation room where the
process of drawing blood is completed in less than 10 minutes.
Recovery and refreshments take an additional 15 minutes. The donors
can normally expect to leave the Blood Bank within an hour or
arrival. |
|
|
|
6.
What happens to my blood after donation? |
|
350 ml of blood is drawn and is normally
collected in a multiple bag system, so that centrifugation may yield
multiple components like red cells, platelets and plasma. These are
separated and stored at different optimal temperatures and benefit
patients in several specific ways. |
|
Tests are conducted to identify infections
such as malaria, syphilis, hepatitis viruses B & C and HIV 1
& 2. |
|
|
|
7.
Is donating blood safe? Are there any side-effects? |
|
Single-use sterile needles and blood bags make the procedure safe
for you. Side-effects such as feeling dizzy or fainting are
sometimes experienced but can be easily managed. The blood bank
staff are trained to anticipate and handle such incidents.
Occasional swelling and discoloration at the site of vein puncture
disappear in a few days. In fact you can proceed for work
immediately after donation. |
|
|
|
8.
How soon will my blood loss be replenished? |
|
The blood volume loss will be replenished in 24 hours,
but the iron loss will take 4-6 weeks
if you follow a balanced diet. |
|
|
|
9.
Is it true that a person can use his own blood? |
|
Yes, if you and your surgeon agree, and your haemoglobin count is at
least 11 g/dl, you could give several units of blood over a few
weeks before your planned surgery. This is called Autologous Blood
Transfusion. The risk of contracting transfusion-transmitted
diseases can be avoided by using your own blood. |
|
|
|
10.
What are the costs involved in a bag of blood? |
|
A plastic bag system could cost between Rs.50
to Rs.300, depending on the
configuration used. The tests could cost Rs.250
to Rs.400,
depending on the testing technology used. However, these costs are
factored into your package if you have arranged for the prescribed
number of donations. |
|
|
|
|
A TRIBUTE TO A BLOOD DONOR |
|
|
| |
