General Donation of Blood or Platelets
Blood or platelets donated at our Blood Bank are placed in the Hospital’s general supply to be used for emergencies and other patient transfusion needs.
Directed Blood Donations
Donors may designate that blood or platelets be used for a specific patient, usually a family member or friend. The patient intending to receive the blood or platelets will need to make arrangements in advance of the anticipated use, and complete a Blood Bank-directed donor consent form. The patient or representative of the patient can contact the Blood Bank for complete instructions.
Autologous Blood Donations
Prior to a procedure or surgery, a patient may choose to donate his or her own blood. The patient can then be transfused with his or her own blood, which is the safest possible blood available for transfusion. Autologous blood donation is available to patients undergoing elective surgery and requires a prescription from the patient’s physician. The patient may begin donating a few weeks prior to the procedure or surgery.
Types Of Blood Donation
Whole Blood Donation - Whole blood is simply the blood that flows through your veins. It contains red cells, white cells and platelets, suspended in plasma. The actual donation takes approximately 45 minutes from paperwork to juice and cookies. You can donate whole blood as often as every 56 days.
Double Red Cell - Similar to a whole blood donation except during a double red cell donation you safely give a concentrated dose of 2 units of red blood cells. This donation utilizes a special machine to separate your red blood cells from the other components and then safely and comfortably returns those other components to you. This donation takes approximately 1.5 hours from beginning to end. You can donate double red cells every 112 days, up to 3 times a year.
Platelets - Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. A platelet donation uses a machine to extract your platelets along with some plasma and then returns the rest of your blood back to you. This donation takes approximately 2.5 hours from beginning to end. You can donate platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times/year.