DONOR EDUCATION
Why Should I Give Blood?
Because You Can Make a Difference!
Learning more about blood donation and knowing
DEAR DONOR:
This information sheet explains how YOU can help us make the donation process safe for yourself and patients who might receive your blood.
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE YOU DONATE!
ACCURACY & HONESTY ARE ESSENTIAL!
Your complete honesty in answering all questions is very important for the safety of patients who receive your blood. All information you provide is confidential.
DONATION RISKS (These are not common 1-2%) Some of the risks and/or problems associated with donating include: dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea and/or vomiting, rapid pulse rate, Itching at the site from an allergy to iodine, bruising (hematoma), pain at the site.
- DONOR ELIGIBILITY
YOU MAY DONATE :
- If you are 18 years old or older (17 with parental permission) and weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kg)
- If you are in good health
- Have not donated whole blood in the past 8 weeks
- Have not donated double red cells in the past 16 weeks
YOU MAY NOT DONATE IF YOU:
- Have had AIDS or a Positive HIV test
- Have participated in activities that put you at risk for acquiring AIDS.
Why we ask questions about sexual contact (as required by federal regulations)
Sexual contact may cause contagious diseases like HIV to get into the blood stream and be spread through transfusions to someone else.
PLEASE DO NOT DONATE TO GET AN HIV TEST DONE
- DONATION PROCESS
- Registration: PHOTO ID must be presented prior to donation to identify you at every donation.
- Interview: to determine if you are all right to donate we will:
- Ask questions about health, travel and medicines.
- Ask questions to see if you might be at risk for hepatitis, HIV or AIDS
- Mini-physical Examination
- Take your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight.
- Take a small blood sample to make sure your Hemoglobin level is normal.
- Phlebotomy
- You will be seated in a donor chair, a tourniquet will be applied to your arm, and a suitable vein located.
- The site will be cleaned with an antiseptic
- A sterile needle will be gently inserted into your vein and the blood will be collected in a sterile bag for 5-15 minutes
- After donation, a pressure bandage will be applied to the site and you may rest and enjoy some refreshments.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR DONATION?
- Your blood is tested for: HepatitisB and C, HIV, HTLV (associated with a virus that causes leukemia), Syphilis, Malaria, Sickling and Blood Type.
- There are certain conditions like in Emergency situation; there is a chance that your unit is released without completion of infectious disease testing.
- If your blood tests Positive it will not be given to a patient. Your blood will be discarded.
- You will be notified about test results that may disqualify you from donating in the future. Since confirmatory tests are necessary, it may take up few days before notification.
- If your blood tests Positive, your name will be put on a confidential list of Deferred Donors. When required, Blood Bank will report your donor information, including test result, to health departments and regulatory agencies as required by law.
- To ensure confidentiality, NO test results (including blood type) will be given by phone. Written approval from you will be required before test results are released.
CARE AFTER DONATING
When you donate blood, your body needs a few minutes to adjust to the slight change in blood fluid volume. It is important to follow these instructions:
- Remain lying on the donor chair until a staff member releases you to the refreshment area.
- Remain in the refreshment area for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy juice and a snack. If you cannot stay, please notify donor room staff.
- Drink more fluid than usual and eat heartily for today.
- Avoid smoking for 2 hours
- Refrain from strenuous exercise for 24 hours. If safety risks are a normal part of your routine, ask a donor room staff member how long you should wait before resuming regular activities.
- If you become light-headed or dizzy, lie down until the feeling disappears. If the feeling continues, contact Blood Bank or your physician.
- Leave your bandage in place for 4 to 5 hours. This will help to prevent bruising. If your arm starts bleeding again, apply direct pressure and elevate your arm.
- Make sure you’re eating a nutritious, well-balance diet containing foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C.
- However, if you are a frequent donor, iron rich foods in your diet may not be enough to replenish the iron you routinely lose through blood donations. We recommend you to consult with your health-care provider to see if taking an iron supplement is right for you.
If after donating, you realize that you should not have donated because of previous Risk Factors, behaviors, or diseases, YOUR BLOOD MUST NOT BE USED FOR TRANSFUSION!
PLEASE CONTACT Blood Bank IMMEDIATELY.
If you become ill within the next 72 hours, or think of any reason your blood should not be transfused, Please call Blood Bank at +966-11-4833672 or Ext 3662.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING
THE GIFT OF LIFE!
BB Form 091 - Donor Education Material (English) HMG/QID/1892
