- Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
- Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.
- Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse and haemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
- If found fit to donate, then donor will be asked to lie down on a resting chair or bed. Donor arm will be thoroughly cleaned. Then using sterile equipment’s blood will be collected in a special plastic bag. Approximately 350 ml of blood will be collected in one donation. Those who weight more than 60 Kg can donate 450 ml of blood.
- The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min.
- After donation the donor has to rest and relax for a few minutes with a light snack and something refreshing to drink.
- The average adult has about 10 units of blood in his body. Roughly 1 unit is given during a donation.
- A healthy donor may donate Whole Blood Donation, once in 3 months (90 days) for males and 4 months (120 days) for females.
- For Apheresis (Jumbo Pack Platelet), at least 48 hours interval after platelet/plasma – apheresis shall be kept (not more than 2 times a week, limited to 24 in one year).
- After whole blood donation a platelet apheresis donor shall not be accepted before 28 days.
- All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be transfused to patients.
