LaMaria: The Philippine Red Cross volunteer

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

IT IS the policy of the Philippine Red Cross Blood Services (PNBS) that donors of whole blood may normally donate every 12 weeks. Thus, we should know how often should a donor visit the PRC Blood Services Office.

FREQUENCY OF DONATION

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

In special circumstances (i.e. a patient will need a rare blood type) a medical officer on an individual basis may modify the frequency of donation. The guidelines produced by the Council of Europe are identified by sexual preference. Males may donate six standard whole blood donations in a year, females are less at four time a year.

It is recommended that these donation rates never be exceeded under any circumstances. The number of donations accepted from any individual donor has to be determined after careful consideration of his/her weight, dietary habits and with the knowledge that extra care beyond routine hemoglobin estimation may be necessary in the monitoring of donors, for iron deficiency.

QUANTITY OF DONATION

A standard donation is 450ml +-10% (405ml – 495ml) exclusive of anticoagulants. Blood bags intended for a collection volume of 450+-45ml (i.e. 405 – 495ml) of whole blood contains 63ml of anticoagulant.

No more than 10.5ml/kg body weight shall be taken as whoile blood during one blood donation.

AGE OF DONOR

The age acceptance ranges are:

New donors between 16 and 60 years old (before 61st birthday)

Regular donors may be accepted up to 70 years old before 71st birthday subject to evaluation of a medical officer.

Lapsed donors (i.e. those donors who have not donated in the previous year) and who are over the 60 yr-old limit are eligible to donate subject to the evaluation of a medical officer.

WEIGHT

A standard whole donation may be collected from a regular donor weighing 50kgs after assessment of an experienced medical officer.

HAZARDOUS OCCUPATIONS

Hazardous occupations and hobbies shall normally entail an interval of not less than 12 hours between donation and returning to the occupation or hobby. Examples of such hazardous occupations or hobbies include piloting an aircraft, bus driver, train engineer, heavy equipment operator or any similar occupation that may require climbing of the ladder, scaffolding or trees. Hang gliding, mountain climbing or trekking and diving (water or air).

PREGNANCY

Pregnant women shall not be accepted, other than in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the attending physician or obstetrician.

Following term, the deferral period is 12 months from the date of delivery. Women who breastfed shall be deferred for a minimum of three months post weaning.

DONOR MEDICAL HISTORY

The donor’s medical history shall be evaluated using the donor history questionnaire or DHQ, and the donor accepted, by a qualified medical officer who shall have the final decision on whether the blood shall be collected from a donor. If the medical officer is in doubt, the donor will be deferred.

The A-Z Guide to Medical Assessment of Blood Donors provides more specific guidance concerning criteria for acceptance or deferral for a wide range of conditions including the use of medicines.

A history of infection or an exposure to risk of contracting infections is of particular importance in maintaining the safety of blood and blood products used for transfusion.

Medications taken by prospective donors may indicate grounds for deferral or acceptance with qualifications. A listing of medications to assist in the donor selection and exclusion of use of donations for the production of some components e.g. platelet concentrate, is provided in the A-Z Guide to Assessment of Blood Donors.

E-mail address is jlamaria@yahoo.com or you may inquire at the Philippine Red Cross – Baguio City Chapter office located at Harrison Rd, Baguio City with telephone number (074)424-7953.

BE A PHILIPPINE RED CROSS VOLUNTEER, BE A BLOOD DONOR...