Blood is a vital resource that can save lives in many situations, such as trauma, surgery, or bleeding disorders. However, blood is not something that can be easily manufactured or synthesized. It has to come from generous blood donors who are willing to share their blood with others in need. But how does donated blood reach the patients who need it? What are the steps involved in ensuring that blood is safe and compatible for transfusion? In this blog post, we will explore what happens to blood at blood bank, from collection to storage to distribution.
Collection of blood
Before donating blood, donors have to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as age, weight, health status, and travel history. They also have to answer a questionnaire and undergo a mini-physical exam to check their blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin level. Donors are advised to eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol before and after donation. Click here to read about blood donation criteria.
The first step in the blood banking process is collection. Most blood banks, rely on volunteer blood donors. During a typical blood donation, about 1 unit of blood is collected, along with a few small tubes for testing. The tubes and blood bags are labelled with donor information and sent off for processing and testing.
Processing
Next, the donated blood is taken to the processing center. Whole blood is usually centrifuged, which separates it into its many components that patients may need: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. White blood cells are removed from the blood to minimize the chance of a reaction in the recipient.
click here to know more about the components prepared from blood.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues and organs. They are used to treat anemia, blood loss, and some genetic disorders. Platelets are small cell fragments that help with blood clotting. They are used to treat bleeding disorders, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that contains proteins, clotting factors, and antibodies. It is used to treat shock, burns, liver disease, and immune deficiencies.
Testing
While the donation is being processed, the blood test tubes are sent out for screening. In India, this includes testing for diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, malaria and Syphilis. If any of the tests are positive, the donor will be notified and the blood will not be used.
During the testing stage, the blood is also typed for ABO groups and Rh factor. The blood type determines which blood group antigens are present on the red blood cells. There are four major blood groups: A, B, AB, and O. The Rh factor is a protein that can be either positive or negative.
Blood type compatibility is important for transfusion, as giving the wrong blood type can cause a serious immune reaction in the recipient.
Storage
Once the blood is screened and processed, it is stored until it is needed. A blood bank ensures that hospitals have a safe, reliable blood supply for patients in need. Different blood components have different shelf lives and storage conditions. Red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days at 2-6°C. Platelets can be stored for up to 5 days at 20-24°C with gentle agitation. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to one year at -18°C or below for 1 year.
Distribution
When a patient needs a blood transfusion, the hospital requests blood from the blood bank. The blood bank matches the patient’s blood type with the available blood units and sends them to the hospital. The hospital performs a final compatibility test before transfusing the blood to the patient.
Blood transfusion is a common and safe procedure that can save lives. However, it is not without risks. Some of the possible complications include allergic reactions, infections, hemolytic reactions, and transfusion-related acute lung injury. To reduce these risks, blood banks follow strict protocols and standards to ensure the quality and safety of blood products.
Conclusion
Blood banking is a complex and essential process that involves many steps and people. From the donors who generously give their blood, to the blood bank staff who collect, process, test, and store the blood, to the hospital staff who request and transfuse the blood, to the patients who receive the blood, blood banking is a collaborative effort that saves lives every day. You can help meet the demand for blood by scheduling your donation today. Your donation may even help save more than one life.
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