Why Blood Components?
In modern medicine there is no room for whole blood. Developed countries have switched over to blood components for more than 20 years. Unfortunately in India still 95% of the blood is used as whole blood. By making blood components, all the useful parts of blood can be used. In whole blood, platelets die and clotting factors become ineffective and the patient receives unwanted and ineffective components
How much Blood can I donate?
Eligible donors (any body between 18 to 60 years of age and leading a healthy life) with weight above 50 kgs. can donate up to 450 ml of blood. Your body can replenish this volume within 24 hours.
Does one has to pay for the unit received ?
YES . Even though the blood is obtained from voluntary blood donors, the cost of collection, screening, processing and storage has to be borne by the recipients.
How is the compatibility test done between the blood of donor and recipient?
It is often assumed that if the donor and recipient belong to the same blood group their blood will be compatible. But in reality it is not so. Apart for A, B, and O group antigens there are many other blood group antigens on the Red cell surface of every human being. Under normal circumstances a full panel cross-match is done using GEL technology before every unit is released for transfusion. Only in the event of emergencies and if the consultant orders blood component without full panel cross-match, the same is issued with only ABOD compatibility testing.
How is blood safety ensured ?
Blood transfusion can never be 100 % safe. What is safe today may not be safe as knowledge improves. Examples for this is the new knowledge on Hepatitis B Virus and HIV Virus. However, Blood Banks are expected to ensure the safety by testing the donor blood for diseases known to be transmitted at that point of time. Currently law in India requires testing of each unit of donated blood ( not the donor prior to donation ) for Hepatitis B ( HBsAg ), HIV (Antibody Test) VDRL, and Malaria.
Each Unit of blood is screened for:
* Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg & Anti Hbc Total)
* HIV virus (Antigen & Antibody)
* Hepatitis C virus ( Anti HCV - III Generation )
* Malaria
* Leptospira
* Syphilis
* Liver enzyme ALT.
What is the shelf life of various components ?
RBCs can be stored up to 42 days at 2 - 6 C, Platelets for 5 days at 20 - 24 C with constant agitation and Plasma for one year at less than - 30 C. When stored as whole blood , the clotting factors in the plasma lose their efficacy in 4 hours and the platelets lose their function after 24 hours. We actively discourage the use of whole blood in order to prevent wastage of these blood components.