what are the substances to donate blood

Healthcare providers use four different blood products in transfusions: whole blood, power red, platelets

, and AB elite plasma. The donation criteria vary slightly depending on the product. Whole blood Whole blood consists of red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Full Answer

What blood type is the “universal donor”?

What happens when you donate whole blood?

Why is it important to cross match blood?

What is the process of collecting platelets?

What type of blood cells help with clots?

How long does it take to donate blood?

What is autologous donation?

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What is used when donating blood?

Blood – a standard donation, consisting of plasma, red and white blood cells, platelets, antibodies and other components. Plasma (known as apheresis) – plasma is separated from the other components by a special machine, and the red blood cells are returned to the donor in cycles throughout the donation.

What are the 4 types of blood components that can be donated?

There are four ways to donate: plasma, platelets, red cells, and whole blood. Those different components in our blood have many uses. During and after a donation, we are able to separate those components, to give a recipient exactly what they need.

What drugs can you not be on to donate blood?

The following medications will prevent you from donating blood:Accutane.Antibiotics *Donors who are taking antibiotics are eligible to donate 24 hours after their last dose.Anti-Platelet Medications.Avodart.Blood thinners (such as Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, Warfarin)Bovine insulin.Hepatitis B Immune Globulin.More items...

What is the most needed blood product?

All blood types are needed. With less than half a day supply available of type O blood in recent weeks, there is an emergency need for type O donors. Type O is the most needed blood group by hospitals. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

What are the 7 blood components?

CBC, which includes:White blood cell count (WBC)Red blood cell count (RBC)Platelet count.Hematocrit red blood cell volume (hct)Hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells.Differential blood count.

What is the best blood to donate?

Type O negative, often called the “universal” blood, is always in demand because O negative red blood cells can be transfused to anyone regardless of their blood type.

What are the reasons you can't give blood?

Persons with the following conditions are not allowed to donate blood anyime:Cancer.Cardiac disease.Sever lung disease.Hepatitis B and C.HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution)Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months.Chronic alcoholism.More items...

Why should you not donate blood?

Blood can transmit life-threatening infections to patients who receive blood transfusions. You should not donate blood if: You have or may recently have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV or syphilis, that can be passed on to a patient who receives your blood.

Is donating blood good for you?

A healthier heart and vascular system Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks. “It definitely helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors,” says DeSimone.

What blood is in high demand?

Type OO negative blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type. Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.

Is O negative blood worth?

O negative blood is valuable because it can be transfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type. Hospitals need to have it on hand for emergencies. In addition, emergency services, including ambulances and helicopters, may also carry it to keep patients alive while they're being transported to a hospital.

How much donated blood is wasted?

The Red Cross estimated that less than 10 percent of the donations will be discarded, but some of its blood-bank directors disputed that.

What are the 4 types of blood cells?

It has four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

What are the 5 components of blood?

Plasma is the main component of blood and consists mostly of water, with proteins, ions, nutrients, and wastes mixed in. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. White blood cells are part of the immune system and function in immune response.

Why can't females donate platelets?

For women who have been pregnant, their platelet donations are tested for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) antibodies. The presence of antibodies to Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) in the blood can cause an adverse reaction in patients receiving blood including lung injury and poor response to platelet transfusions.

Which blood type can O positive receive?

Those with O positive blood can only receive transfusions from O positive or O negative blood types. Type O positive blood is one of the first to run out during a shortage due to its high demand.

What blood type is the “universal donor”?

O negative is the universal donor for red blood cells. AB positive is the universal donor for plasma.

What happens when you donate whole blood?

When you donate whole blood approximately a pint of blood is taken. After it leaves your arm, it is separated into components by We Are Blood staff. Components that are transfused to local patients like red cells, plasma, and platelets.

Why is it important to cross match blood?

Because foreign antigens could trigger a patient's immune system to attack transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching. Below is a chart that breaks down who you can donate blood to, and receive blood from, based on your blood type.

What is the process of collecting platelets?

Platelets are collected using a machine called apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis), which is a technology that allows a donor to give a specific blood component (such as platelets, plasma, or red cells). Apheresis machines allow our phlebotomists to collect only the needed blood components. While collecting your platelets, the automated machine is able to return all other blood components to your body. This process results in a smoother recovery period, but a slightly longer donation process.

What type of blood cells help with clots?

Platelets are the type of blood cell that allow our bodies to form clots–they essentially help people control their bleeding. Many patients across Central Texas, especially burn victims, premature babies, organ transplant recipients, and accident victims, rely on platelet donations for recovery. Many people undergoing cancer treatment need frequent ...

How long does it take to donate blood?

Components that are transfused to local patients like red cells, plasma, and platelets. Whole blood donation takes 45 minutes to an hour from arrival to walking out our front doors. The actual donation only takes around 15 minutes. You can donate whole blood every 56 days.

What is autologous donation?

Autologous donations are donations that individuals give for their own use. For example, if you have a surgery coming up, you may donate your own blood that would be transfused back to you during your surgery.

What do you need to know before you can donate blood?

Before you can donate blood, you will be asked to fill out a confidential medical history that includes questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of bloodborne infections — infections that are transmitted through the blood.

How to fill veins with blood?

If you have a preference for which arm or vein is used, share it. A blood pressure cuff or tourniquet is placed around your upper arm to fill your veins with more blood. This makes the veins easier to see and easier to insert the needle into, and also helps fill the blood bag more quickly. Then the skin on the inside of your elbow is cleaned.

What are platelets given for?

Donated platelets are commonly given to people with clotting problems or cancer and people who will have organ transplants or major surgeries.

How long after a positive test can you donate blood?

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests waiting to donate blood for at least 14 days after a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 without symptoms or for at least 14 days after symptoms of COVID-19 have completely cleared up. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation.

What is the purpose of red blood cells?

Red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues. Donated red blood cells are typically given to people with severe blood loss, such as after an injury or accident, and people with sickle cell anemia. Plasma donation (plasmapheresis) collects the liquid portion of the blood (plasma).

How long do you have to take aspirin before donating platelets?

For example, if you are a platelet donor, you must not take aspirin for two days prior to donating. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing any medications.

How old do you have to be to donate?

At least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parent permission. While there's no legal upper age limit, policies may vary between individual donor centers.

What is blood donation?

What is Blood. Blood is essential to life. Blood circulates through our body and delivers essential substances like oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells. It also transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot be made or manufactured.

What is the liquid portion of blood?

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. Plasma is yellowish in color and is made up mostly of water, but it also contains proteins, sugars, hormones and salts. It transports water and nutrients to your body’s tissues.

Why are white blood cells important?

White blood cells are essential for good health and protection against illness and disease. Like red blood cells, they are constantly being generated from your bone marrow. They flow through the bloodstream and attack foreign bodies, like viruses and bacteria.

What is the smallest part of blood?

Platelets are an amazing part of your blood. Platelets are the smallest of our blood cells and literally look like small plates in their non-active form. Platelets control bleeding. Wherever a wound occurs, the blood vessel will send out a signal.

How many days does a red blood cell live?

They are generated from your bone marrow at a rate of four to five billion per hour. They have a lifecycle of about 120 days in the body.

Who can donate red blood cells?

Group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. It’s the universal donor.

How many blood groups are there?

There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a protein called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent (–), creating the 8 most common blood types ( A+, A- , B+, B- , O+, O- , AB+, AB- ).

What Is A Rare Blood Type?

There are more than 600 other known antigens, the presence or absence of which creates " rare blood types ." Your blood type is considered rare if you lack antigens that 99% of the people are positive for . If you somehow lack an antigen that 99.99% are positive for, your blood type is extremely rare.

How are blood types determined?

Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens – substances that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body . Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.

Why is Type O blood so common?

Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants .

Why is the need for O negative blood the highest?

However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population). The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood. The universal plasma donor has Type AB blood.

How many lives are saved by blood transfusions?

Each year 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions. There are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for a safe transfusion. The right blood transfusion can mean the difference between life and death. Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs a blood transfusion.

What blood products are used in blood transfusions?

Healthcare providers use four different blood products in transfusions: whole blood, power red, platelets, and AB elite plasma. The donation criteria vary slightly depending on the product.

Why is it important to donate blood?

Donating blood is a great way of saving people’s lives. The criteria for donating blood allow most of the population to donate regularly. Local blood banks have information on how many blood donors they need and how the process of donating works.

Why is plasma considered a universal donor?

It helps fight infection and encourages blood to clot. AB plasma is a universal donor plasma because it is compatible with all blood types. Plasma donors can undergo apheresis to take out the plasma from whole blood.

How long do you have to wait to donate platelets?

aspirin. no waiting period for whole blood, but 2 days from last dose before donating platelets by aphere sis.

How many units of power red can you donate?

DRCA allows blood bank workers to take two units of power red, the equivalent of two donations, in one sitting. if female, be at least 19 years old, be a minimum of 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weigh at least 150 lb. People can donate power red every 112 days. They cannot donate more than three times a year.

How much weight do you need to donate blood?

People must weigh at least 110 lb to be eligible to donate blood. People who weigh less than this may not be able to tolerate the removal of the required amount of blood.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

According to the general blood donation criteria, donors must: be at least 16 years of age. weigh at least 110 pounds (lb) not have mild illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. not have unmedicated diabetes, anemia, or hypertension (high blood pressure)

How do blood donations help?

When you donate blood, you're helping others and giving back to your community. Donated blood benefits people in area hospitals who need blood transfusions. Donated blood helps meet many medical needs, including those of people who have lost blood due to trauma, an organ transplant or other major surgery.

How can I prepare to donate blood?

Before donating, eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water. Go to your donation appointment well rested and wearing a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up above your elbows. Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

What are the benefits for me as a blood donor?

The blood drives and the blood donor locations on Mayo Clinic's campuses in Jacksonville, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota, make it easy and convenient to donate blood.

Who can donate?

To donate, you must weigh at least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms) and be at least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parental permission. You must be in good health and able to pass the physical and a confidential health-history assessment to help make sure blood donation is safe for both you and the recipient of the blood.

Can I donate if I recently had a tattoo or ear or body piercing?

Getting a tattoo or piercing recently from a licensed establishment does not make you ineligible to donate blood.

What is the difference between apheresis and whole blood donation?

What's the difference between whole blood donation and apheresis? Blood contains several components, including red cells, platelets and plasma. During a whole blood donation, you typically donate a pint (about a half liter) of whole blood. During apheresis you're hooked up to a machine that collects and separates blood components ...

How long does it take to donate a red cell?

Apheresis takes about 1 1/2 to two hours. Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. At Mayo Clinic donor centers, you'll have access to wireless internet, a television and movies during the donation process.

What is blood donation?

Blood donation is a lifesaving gift and a beneficial procedure, for both recipient and donor. What happens to your body when you donate blood?

Why do people donate blood?

This may be partly because donating blood helps blood flow, giving it a lower viscosity (resistance) and thus making it less damaging to blood vessels. There are other ways that donating blood impacts your heart as well. Blood donation also helps regulate iron levels in the body.

How much blood does donating a pint of blood lose?

The immediate impact on the body as a result of donating a pint of blood is a loss of red blood cells. The average adult has approximately 10 pints, or 8% of body weight, and it takes a number of weeks to replenish those stores (this is why donors must wait between donations).

Why is blood donation important?

Blood donation also helps regulate iron levels in the body. Too much iron can be damaging to blood vessels, and a regular decrease of iron-rich blood and subsequent replenishment due to blood donation can lead to a more beneficial lower iron level. Men tend to store more iron in their bodies than women, which is why iron deficiency is rare in men.

How to prepare for blood donation?

To minimize any adverse reactions, it is important to prepare for your blood donation by eating an iron-rich meal and drinking plenty of fluids. You will also want to replace fluids immediately after donating, and to keep the body well-nourished. As levels return to normal, any discomfort subsides. Long-term benefits to your body ...

Can men donate iron?

Men tend to store more iron in their bodies than women, which is why iron deficiency is rare in men. Those who suffer from iron deficiency often find it difficult to donate, and may want to consider taking an oral iron supplement. For these individuals blood donation seldom helps regulate iron levels.

What blood type is the “universal donor”?

O negative is the universal donor for red blood cells. AB positive is the universal donor for plasma.

What happens when you donate whole blood?

When you donate whole blood approximately a pint of blood is taken. After it leaves your arm, it is separated into components by We Are Blood staff. Components that are transfused to local patients like red cells, plasma, and platelets.

Why is it important to cross match blood?

Because foreign antigens could trigger a patient's immune system to attack transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching. Below is a chart that breaks down who you can donate blood to, and receive blood from, based on your blood type.

What is the process of collecting platelets?

Platelets are collected using a machine called apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis), which is a technology that allows a donor to give a specific blood component (such as platelets, plasma, or red cells). Apheresis machines allow our phlebotomists to collect only the needed blood components. While collecting your platelets, the automated machine is able to return all other blood components to your body. This process results in a smoother recovery period, but a slightly longer donation process.

What type of blood cells help with clots?

Platelets are the type of blood cell that allow our bodies to form clots–they essentially help people control their bleeding. Many patients across Central Texas, especially burn victims, premature babies, organ transplant recipients, and accident victims, rely on platelet donations for recovery. Many people undergoing cancer treatment need frequent ...

How long does it take to donate blood?

Components that are transfused to local patients like red cells, plasma, and platelets. Whole blood donation takes 45 minutes to an hour from arrival to walking out our front doors. The actual donation only takes around 15 minutes. You can donate whole blood every 56 days.

What is autologous donation?

Autologous donations are donations that individuals give for their own use. For example, if you have a surgery coming up, you may donate your own blood that would be transfused back to you during your surgery.

Overview

Why It's Done

Risks

How You Prepare

• Eligibility requirements
  To be eligible to donate whole blood, plasma or platelets, you must be: 1. In good health. 2. At least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parent permission. While there's no legal upper age limit, policies may vary between …
• Food and medications
  Before your blood donation: 1. Get plenty of sleep the night before you plan to donate. 2. Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as a hamburger, fries or ice cream. 3. Drink plenty of water before the donation. 4. Check to see if any medications you are taking or re…

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