Blood donation
Blood donation is a process by which a blood donor voluntarily has blood drawn for storage in a blood bank and eventual use as a blood transfusion.Blood donations may be scheduled at local centers, or at times a "blood drive" will occur. These are events where a blood bank or other blood collecting organization will set up in a convenient location for people to stop in without appointment during their daily routine to donate blood.
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2 Complications 3 External links |
Often the blood hemoglobin concentration will be checked next, typically performed by a phlebotomist. While various tests exist, the most common ones are:
Process
A blood donation typically involves screnning, the actual donation, and some recovery.Screening
Western countries typically impose screening for blood donor candidates. When a donor arrives at a donation site, the donor typically fills out a consent form as well as answering a brief survey to help determine their eligibility. Questions include the donors's age, weight, most recent donation, current health, and various risk factors such as tattooing, drug use (recreational or performance enhancing), recent international travel, and sexual history. Answers are associated with your blood, but not your name to provide anonymity.
Additionally, the donor may indicate to not use their blood but still go through the blood drawing process, again to protect the individual's confidentiality. All blood is later tested for diseases including STIs. If a disease is found, the donor will be notified and their blood discarded. It is discouraged for individuals to use blood donation as anonymous STD screening.
Donation
The blood donation itself happens next. The donor lies prone on a cushioned bench and extends an arm. The inner elbow is disinfected, and a cannula is inserted into a vein. The donor often has a tourniquet wrapped around his or her arm, or may be prompted to squeeze a ball repeatedly, to help speed the process. Blood flows from the vein, through the needle and a tube, and into a special collection bag which is placed on a small scale to measure the amount of blood withdrawn. Typically, around 500 millilitres, less than a pint, is drawn during the blood donation process.
Recovery
Once the donation is complete, the donor is given a bandage or gauze to stop further blood flow and is normally allowed to leave. Beverages are often provided to donors to help them restore blood volume, and snacks may also be available. In some countries, stickers are sometimes worn by donors for the duration of the day, showing the donor's pride and encouraging others to donate as well. The entire process is typically completed in 15 to 30 minutes. The donor is discouraged from heavy exercise or lifting until the next day.
During the donation, hypovolemia may occasionally lead to a drop in blood pressure with some donors experiencing light-headedness. In some cases this may necessitate cancelling the donation, restoring blood volume with an intravenous infusion, or placing the donor in a Trendelenburg position (on a stretcher tilted "legs up"). Beverages may be given to further replenish blood volume, and the donor may have to remain in a prone position for a while under monitoring.
It should be noted that such reactions are rare and blood bank staff are well trained to handle them.
Complications
Finger prick and needle insertion typically cause only minor discomfort, but in some donors phlebotomists may experience difficulties obtainig enough blood.External links