![]() Plasma is needed to carry the many parts of the blood through the bloodstream. Plasma - the watery, liquid part of the blood in which the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and platelets are suspended. White blood cells - help to fight infection, and aid in the immune process. Platelets - help the blood to clot and are used in the treatment of leukemia and other forms of cancer. Red blood cells - carry oxygen to the tissues in the body and are commonly used in the treatment of anemia. While blood or one of its components may be transferred, each component serves many functions: ![]() (These antibodies, with repeated transfusions, may also increase a recipient's risk of reactions to subsequent transfusions.)Īccording to the American Association of Blood Banks, distribution of blood types in the US includes the following: "Leukocyte reduced blood" has been filtered to remove the white blood cells which contain antibodies that can cause fevers in the recipient of the transfusion. (T-lymphocytes can cause a reaction when transfused, but can also cause what is called "graft-versus-host" problems with repeated exposure to foreign cells.) Irradiation to blood cells is performed to disable any T-lymphocytes present in the donated blood. Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) I and II ![]() Screening for current or past infections including the following: Screening for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient What tests are performed in blood banking?Ī certain set of standard tests are performed in the laboratory once blood is donated, including, but not limited to, the following: Some states permit persons younger than 16 or 17 years to donate blood with parental consent. Must pass the physical and health history examination given prior to donation To further ensure the safety of the blood donation process and available blood supply, volunteer blood donors must pass certain criteria, including the following: Donating blood for yourself is called an autologous donation. However, sometimes a patient may want to donate blood a couple of weeks before undergoing surgery, so that his/her blood is available in case a blood transfusion is necessary. One unit of whole blood, once separated, may be transfused to several patients, each with different needs.Īnnually, more than 30 million blood components are transfused. ![]() There are approximately 9.5 million volunteer blood donors (2006).įive million patients receive transfusions of blood units each year (2006).Įach unit of blood is broken down into components, such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. The number of blood units donated is almost 16 million a year (2006). Facts about blood banking:Ībout 38,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day (2006). Blood banking includes typing the blood for compatibility and testing for infectious diseases. The transfusion medicine community is actively engaged in this area of recruiting and retaining a diverse blood donor pool.Blood Donations and Blood Banking What is blood banking?īlood banking is the process that takes place in a laboratory to ensure that the donated blood or blood products are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. “This is very exciting and in the blood banking community, we want to keep going and pushing forward. “We’ve done a lot, but we haven’t done enough,” she says. While the updated guidelines may make way for more people being able to donate, there’s still work to be done to make blood donation more inclusive, says Dr. It’s in line with similar policies in place in Canada and the United Kingdom. The new assessment approach will continue to maintain the safety of the blood supply, according to the FDA. The FDA recommendation comes as a result of data from the Assessing Donor Variability And New Concepts in Eligibility (ADVANCE) Study, which sought to determine if a donor history questionnaire based on individual risk would be just as effective as the three-month deferral period in reducing HIV risk in donated blood. “You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than to catch HIV from a transfusion, so the individual donor assessment coupled with the blood testing has made transfusion extraordinarily safe.” “The testing has become very precise,” she says. Vossoughi, who is also assistant professor of pathology and cell biology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.Īs blood screening technology has improved over the years with support from scientific data, guidelines have shifted, she adds.ĭonated blood is tested for a number of diseases including HIV, hepatitis B, and West Nile Virus. The new policy will expand the donor pool, with potential to alleviate chronic blood shortages across the country that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, says Dr.
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