Blood Components How can one donation help multiple people?

In modern medical treatments, patients may receive a pint of whole blood or just specific components of the blood needed to treat their particular condition. Up to four components can be derived from donated blood. This approach to treatment, referred to as blood component therapy, allows several patients to benefit from one pint of donated whole blood. The main transfusable blood components include: Whole Blood Whole blood contains red cells, white cells, and platelets (~45% of volume) suspended in plasma (~55% of volume). Red cells Red cells, or erythrocytes, carry oxygen from the lungs to your bodys tissue and take carbon dioxide back to your lungs to be exhaled. Platelets Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cell fragments in the blood whose main function is to interact with clotting proteins to stop or prevent bleeding. Plasma Plasma is a fluid, composed of about 92% water, 7% vital proteins such as albumin, gamma globulin, antihemophilic factor, and other clotting factors, and 1% mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins. Cryoprecipitated AHF Cryoprecipitated Antihemophilic Factor (Cryo) is a portion of plasma rich in clotting factors, including Factor VIII and fibrinogen. It is prepared by freezing and then slowly thawing the frozen plasma. Transfusable Blood Components Summary Whole Blood Red Blood Cells Platelets Plasma Cryoprecipitated AHF

COLOR OF THIS BLOOD COMPONENT Red Red Colorless Yellowish White

BLOOD COMPONENT SHELF LIFE 21 / 35 Days* Up to 42 Days* 5 Days STORAGE CONDITIONS Room temperature with constant agitation to prevent clumping KEY USES OF THIS BLOOD TYPE 1 Year 1 Year

Refrigerated

Refrigerated

Frozen

Frozen

Trauma Surgery

Trauma Surgery Anemia Any blood loss

Cancer treatments Organ transplants Surgery

Burn patients Shock

Hemophilia Von Willebrand disease (most common hereditary coagulation abnormality)

Bleeding disorders

Blood disorders, such as sickle cell

Rich source of Fibrinogen

* Shelf life of whole blood and red cells varies based on the type anticoagulant used.

How to donate blood?

Preparation before donating blood 1. Have enough rest and sleep. 2. No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation. 3. No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation. 4. Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty food. 5. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice. Steps in donating blood 1. Have your weight taken. 2. Register and honestly and complete the donor registration form. 3. Have your blood type and hemoglobin checked. 4. A physician will conduct a blood donor examination. 5. Actual donation--the amount of blood to be donated (either 350cc or 450cc) will depend on the donor's weight and blood pressure. It usually takes 10 minutes or less. 6. A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid-intake are necessary after donation. What to do after blood donation? 1. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice. 2. Refrain from stooping down after blood donation. 3. Refrain from strenuous activities like: a. Lifting heavy objects; b. Driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.; or c. Operating big machines. 4. Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects. 5. Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding. 6. If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours. 7. If there is dizziness, just lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice; and in just a few minutes or so, it will pass.

Blood Donation: Basic Requirements

Blood donation helps save lives. Find out if you're eligible to donate blood and what to expect if you decide to donate. The need for blood is great. On any given day, more than two thousand of blood units are transfused to patients in our country. Some may need blood during surgery; while others depend on it after an accident or because they have a disease that requires blood components. The Philippine Red Cross approximately supplies one-fourth of the country's national blood requirements. If you're in good health, you can probably donate. Find out about blood donation and what to expect if you decide to give.

Who can donate blood?

You can donate blood if you - Are in good health - Are between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent); - Weigh at least 110 pounds; - Have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and - Pass the physical and health history assessments. PRC Blood Services Facilities carefully screen potential donors. The screening guidelines are necessary to ensure that blood donation is safe for you and that it is safe for the person who will be receiving your blood. In the screening process, you have to fill out a blood donation questionnaire form that includes direct questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of blood-borne infectionsinfections that are transmitted through the blood. These behaviors include prostitution, intravenous drug use and others. A trained physician will be asking you about your medical/ health history, and a physical examination will be conductedwhich includes checking your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. All of the information from this evaluation is kept strictly confidential. During your blood donation screening procedure, a small sample of blood taken from a finger prick is used to check your hemoglobin level, the oxygen-carrying component of your blood. If your hemoglobin concentration is normal, and you've met all the other screening requirements, you can donate blood. Palpate and trace the path of veins with the index finger. Arteries pulsate, are most elastic, and have a thick wall. Thrombosed veins lack resilience, feel cord-like, and roll easily. If superficial veins are not readily apparent, you can force blood into the vein by massaging the arm from wrist to elbow, tap the site with index and second finger, apply a warm, damp washcloth to the site for 5 minutes, or lower the extremity over the bedside to allow the veins to fill. PERFORMANCE OF A VENIPUNCTURE: Approach the patient in a friendly, calm manner. Provide for their comfort as much as possible, and gain the patient's cooperation. Identify the patient correctly. Properly fill out appropriate requisition forms, indicating the test(s) ordered.

Verify the patient's condition. Fasting, dietary restrictions, medications, timing, and medical treatment are all of concern and should be noted on the lab requisition. Check for any allergies to antiseptics, adhesives, or latex by observing for armbands and/or by asking the patient. Position the patient. The patient should either sit in a chair, lie down or sit up in bed. Hyperextend the patient's arm. Apply the tourniquet 3-4 inches above the selected puncture site. Do not place too tightly or leave on more than 2 minutes (and no more than a minute to avoid increasing risk for hemoconcentration). Wait 2 minutes before reapplying the tourniquet.

The patient should make a fist without pumping the hand. Select the venipuncture site. Prepare the patient's arm using an alcohol prep. Cleanse in a circular fashion, beginning at the site and working outward. Allow to air dry. Grasp the patient's arm firmly using your thumb to draw the skin taut and anchor the vein. The needle should form a 15 to 30 degree angle with the surface of the arm. Swiftly insert the needle through the skin and into the lumen of the vein. Avoid trauma and excessive probing.

When the last tube to be drawn is filling, remove the tourniquet. Remove the needle from the patient's arm using a swift backward motion. Press down on the gauze once the needle is out of the arm, applying adequate pressure to avoid formation of a hematoma. Dispose of contaminated materials/supplies in designated containers. Mix and label all appropriate tubes at the patient bedside. Deliver specimens promptly to the laboratory.