Blood Donation - protocol updates
Blood transfusion is a life-sustaining and saving procedure. Let's review the protocol for blood donation, potential complications and contraindications.
Preparation - donors should be well rested, eat and drink normally (non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated). Equipment- a sterile 16G/18G needles and collection systems with an anticoagulant and preservative solution for long-term blood product storage are used.
Technique - evaluation includes an assessment of vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature), signs of injury or trauma, and test to check blood hemoglobin levels.
Complications - the most common is local traumatic hematoma, second most common is a syncope (vasovagal).
Contraindications - potential donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 50 kg, have allowable hemoglobin level (men and women is 13.0 and 12.5 g/dL, respectively).
Read the full protocol by the link!