Baptist Hospital is supplied by the Alabama Red Cross and collected from volunteer donors. Blood is collected in sterile,
non-reusable bags. Each donor is screened for diseases according to regulations of the Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Blood Banks. Every unit of blood is tested for hepatitis, the AIDS virus, and other disease-causing pathogens. The blood is used only when all tests are negative.
When a unit of blood is collected and tested, it is separated into different components or parts. In that way, one unit of donor blood may meet the needs of more than one patient. Each component is prepared to supply what is needed.
Unless requested by the patient, blood will be selected from volunteer donors who have the same or compatible blood type as yourself. If circumstances allow, you may request to be transfused with your own blood (autologous) or the blood of particular friends or family members (directed).
Blood collection takes place at Alabama Red Cross. All blood is tested under the same regulations as any other unit. The blood is then sent to the Baptist Hospital Blood Bank where it is stored until the patient is ready for the transfusion. Directed units are not safer than volunteer donor units, although you may feel more at ease knowing who donated the blood for you. There is an additional cost for handling associated with both autologous and directed blood.
If you want to use autologous or directed donor blood, you should contact your physician for written prescription. You or your doctor will schedule an appointment with the Blood Center (434-2535). It usually takes about three days the blood to be collected and tested. For more information about these services, please call (850) 469-2455.
A sample of your blood will be collected before the transfusion. A special Blood Bank arm band links you to the sample of blood. You must leave this arm band on until after your transfusion. The sample is used by the hospital Blood Bank to find compatible blood. Even though your blood type does not change, a new sample must be collected for each transfusion. Rarely, a patient will develop blood factors which make it difficult to find compatible blood products. If so, it may be necessary to delay transfusion a few hours, overnight, or even longer until safe units can be obtained.
Once the components are ready for transfusion, the Infusion Center nursing staff will prepare intravenous (IV) site and take your temperature and blood pressure. You may be given Tylenol or Benadryl? to make you feel more comfortable. The entire transfusion may take several hours. During the transfusion, the nurse will monitor you for difficulties while receiving the blood product(s). If you start feeling bad, your nurse immediately. Every effort is made ensure that the blood you receive is safe, but some patients are sensitive to things not identified in the testing.
Once the transfusion is complete, you will be asked to remain under supervision by the nurse for 15-20 minutes. After you go home, be aware of any side effects you may have.
Symptoms that may occur after your transfusion:
- unexplained fever
- hard, shaking chill
- unusual headache
- itching, welts, rash
- dark urine
- dizziness
- nausea
- swelling of feet or hands
- severe shortness of breath
- bleeding at the IV site even after applying pressure
If any of these symptoms develop within two weeks after your transfusion, notify your doctor immediately.
