What is an automated blood donation? Have you heard of automated blood donation? In this article, you will understand why it is called an automated blood donation. In addition, you will distinguish the difference between whole blood donation and automated blood donations.
Blood is one of the most essential in the human body, as it carries oxygen on the way through the lungs and carries out the carbon dioxides, as well as nutrients and removal of the body’s waste.
If you want to donate blood through the whole or automated blood donations, you must read the great things you should know. It will help you understand the meaning and the machine behind the automated blood donations and where the blood goes.
What Is An Automated Donation?
What is an automated blood donation? Whole blood donation is the most commonly used method in donating blood. The main components of the blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The whole blood will be drawn from the human body and will undergo various tests and screenings to be analyzed and determine if the blood has a viral infection.
By this method, it will ensure that the blood is safe for transfusion.
Compared to the whole blood donation and automated donation, the automated is much easier and comfortable. Why? Automated blood donation uses a unique machine. The machine separates the desired components that are donated. For example, the donor wants to donate red blood cells.
The whole blood cells are drawn out to the sterile bag and then spun in the centrifuge to separate them from the other components. The red blood cells will be placed in an empty blood bag while the other blood components will return to the body along with the saline solution (as the red blood cells substitute that will maintain the blood’s volume).
Many said that the donation through automated is much more comfortable than the whole blood donation. Maybe because the volume of the blood, returning of the other components to the body, and the needle used is small. The reason is not yet determined but most preferred using the machine.
What Is The Important Thing You Should Know About Blood Donations?
Blood transfusion can save lives, but how? Types of blood are critically in need by those patients in hospitals and other medical establishments. In hospitals, patients that need to undergo surgeries badly need blood right away. Cancer patients need blood for their chemotherapies, as well as high-risk babies.
Blood cannot be manufactured and are amazingly unique. Even with millions of people, you will never find a person with has the same blood as yours. But, even it is not the same, it could save their lives. In other cases, the transfused blood stays for a few hours or days to the body.
But, even in a short time, it will help their blood components to recover from the blood loss.
Amazingly, you can save a life through your blood? Yes, your blood can save a life. Accidents and injuries may cause hemorrhage, due to deep wounds through internal or external bleedings. Often time, a patient that suffers from internal bleeding is highly recommended to have surgeries.
How To Be A Blood Donor?
Now, who can give blood? Healthy people are the most sought for when it comes to donating blood. But not all of us are eligible as blood donors as others may have viral diseases that can be transferred through blood components, and some have taken medications. So, here is a list of requirements to donate blood:
#1. Age
A person aged 17 years old above can donate their blood. If you are 16 years old and want to donate, you need a signed document from your parents that allows you (Parent’s Consent). Male must be at least 5” tall and weigh 130lbs (59 kilos), females must be the height of 5’5” tall and weigh up to 150lbs (58kilos).
#2. Identification card
As for the identification card, not all clinics or blood centers requires identification card, but it will be best if you carry them to save up time from going back home. On the other hand, there are other acceptable IDs for blood donation like your driver’s license, state ID, or passport, just coordinate with the medical facility beforehand.
#3. You have no medications and other illness
As mentioned above, in blood donation, healthy people are encouraged to donate. Safety is the number one priority in blood donations to both parties (the blood donor and the receiver of the blood). The probable donor must undergo tests and screenings. Moreover, the ones who will draw your blood will have to make sure that your hemoglobin levels are high because if you don’t you will need to increase hemoglobin for blood donation.
#4. You must sleep before the day of donating blood
And lastly, before you undergo the procedures to donate blood, you must make sure that you had adequate hours of sleep. Lack of sleep decreases the body’s immunity, higher blood pressure, and blood sugar. It is necessary to have enough sleep before donating is necessary.
What Happens To The Blood?
The blood donated through automated machines is directly labeled and restored to refrigerators with the specific temperature while the whole blood must proceed into screenings and tests. And the process of whole blood consumes time rather than automated blood donations. After the process, blood is delivered to their partnered hospitals or to the blood banks. That is why blood donation is important because it could save many lives. So, go and try to volunteer if you are able!
It’s a Wrap!
And that for “What is an automated blood donation?” Both of the methods used in donating blood have one goal, it is to help patients that need different blood components. Even automated blood donation is known to be more comfortable than the other procedure, both of them plays a great role in the survival of the patients. If you think that you are eligible for automated blood donation, you can go through government agencies. You will help people who are in need.