Collection of Donor Blood, Processing
and Storage
Physical Examination
• Donor should be in good general health.
• Weight: should be minimum 45 kg.
• Blood pressure: systolic blood pressure should be 100-180
mm of Hg and diastolic 50-100 mm of Hg.
• Pulse: Pulse rate should be 60-100/min and regular.
Temperature: should be normal.
• Donor skin at the venepuncture site should be free of scars
of needle pricks as they may indicate drug addiction
Estimation of Hemoglobin
Screening of donors for anemia in blood bank is commonly
done by copper sulphate specific gravity method.
Haemoglobin value should be ≥ 12.5 g/dl. Specific gravity of
1.053 of copper sulphate solution is approximately equal to
hemoglobin concentration of 12.5 grams/dl.
COLLECTION OF DONOR BLOOD
In the blood bank, donor blood is collected in a well
ventilated, well-lighted, and air-conditioned room. Blood is
drawn by qualified physician or by an assistant who is well
trained and is working under his supervision.
Equipments and Materials
1. Blood bag containing anticoagulant-preservative solution:
Blood from a donor is collected in a closed system of sterile,
disposable plastic bag (single, double, or triple bag depending
on component to be prepared) with 350 ml capacity. These
bags contain 49 ml of citrate phosphate dextrose adenine
(CPDA) solution. Currently, CPDA-1 solution is commonly used
in which blood can be kept stored at 2-6°C for 35 days. This
solution inhibits clotting of blood and provides nutrition for
cell metabolism.
2. Sphygmomanometer, weighing scale, blood weighing
balance, sealing clips, artery forceps.
3. Iodine, spirit, sterile cotton swabs, adhesive tape
4. Emergency drugs and equipment.
5. Pilot tubes for collection of blood for testing (grouping,
cross matching, screening for infectious diseases).
Technique
1- Blood bag and pilot tubes should be labeled with the donor
identification number and date of collection before blood
collection.
2-The donor should be under constant observation
throughout the procedure of collection.
3- Before blood donation, the prospective donor should have
eaten well and taken sufficient fluids.
4-The blood donor lies supine on a bed.
5-The site for venepuncture is selected in the antecubital
fossa.
6- A sphygmomanometer cuff is applied to the arm and
inflated to 60-70 mm of Hg to make the veins prominent.
7-The selected area is thoroughly cleansed with iodine and
spirit and allowed to dry.
8-The blood collection bag is placed on a weighing balance
that has been kept below the level of the arm.
9-Phlebotomy is carried out and the blood should start
flowing freely across the tubing into the blood bag
10-The pressure is reduced to 30-40 mm of Hg.
11-The donor is asked to squeeze a rubber ball or a soft
sponge material slowly and continuously to quicken the speed
of donation.
12-The blood and the anticoagulant are mixed gently and
periodically in the blood bag.
13-The amount of blood collected is checked on the weighing
balance (1 ml of blood weighs 1.05 gm and the weight of 350
ml of blood is 367 gm).
When the weight of the blood bag is as required (367 gm +
weight of empty bag and anticoagulant), the requisite amount
of blood has been collected.
14-The procedure of blood collection should not take more
than 8 minutes.
15-The pressure cuff is deflated and the tubing is clamped
with forceps about 10 cm away from the needle.
The knot made earlier (close to the needle) is tightened or a
sealing clip is applied. The tubing is cut between the clamp
and the knot/ sealing clip.
The clamp is removed from the tubing and blood samples (for
grouping, cross matching, infectious disease screening) are
collected in appropriate tubes.
The tubing is then reclamped.
16-Needle is removed from the vein and pressure is applied
over the puncture site with sterile cotton gauze.
17-The needle is discarded in a special “sharps” container.
18-. Bag is inverted gently several times to mix the blood and
the anticoagulant.
19- The blood bag is placed in the refrigerator at 4-6°C
immediately following collection. If platelet concentrate is to
be prepared, the bag should be kept at room temperature till
platelets are separated (within 4 hours of collection).
After cessation of bleeding, the venepuncture site is covered
with sterile gauze and an adhesive tape.
20- After 8-10 minutes, the donor is allowed to sit up and
guided to the refreshment area.
The donor is issued a donation card and is given information
about need to drink more fluids, activities permissible, and
care of venepuncture site.
Donor Reactions Donor reactions :
1. Syncope or vasovagal attack:
This is the most common reaction. It is due to the action of
the autonomic nervous system and is induced by anxiety, site
of blood, or pain. Its features are sweating, slowing of pulse
rate, pallor, coldness of skin, sudden hypotension, and
sometimes fainting, vomiting, or incontinence. In such a case,
donation is stopped, and legs are elevated above the level of
the head. Cold compresses are placed on the neck and
forehead. A severe vasovagal reaction is a contraindication
for future donations.
2. Hyperventilation
: This is seen in first-time donors who are highly excited.
Hyperventilation causes loss of carbon dioxide. This may
result in facial twitching or muscular spasms. Relief can be
obtained by breathing in a paper bag.
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Hematoma at the site of venepuncture
5. Infection at venepuncture site or thrombophlebitis
DR..Lubna aloshibi
