1. Confidential Unit Exclusion Donors may be given the opportunity to indicate confidentially whether their blood is or is not suitable for transfusion to others. by Mohammed Abu-basha1

2. Physical Examination The following variables must be evaluated for each donor. 1.General appearance: If the donor looks ill, or is excessively nervous, it is best to defer the donation. 2. Weight: No more than 10.5 mL of whole blood per kilogram of body weight shall be collected at a donation. This amount shall include samples for testing. by Mohammed Abu-basha2

3. 3. Temperature: The donor’s temperature must not exceed 37.5 C (99.5 F) if measured orally, or its equivalent if measured by another method. Lower than normal temperatures are usually of no significance in healthy individuals; however, they should be repeated for confirmation.

4. Physical Examination 4. Pulse: The pulse rate should be counted for at least 15 seconds. It should exhibit no pathologic irregularity, and the frequency should be between 50 and 100 beats per minute. A donor center physician should evaluate marked abnormalities of pulse and recommend acceptance, deferral, or referral for additional evaluation. by Mohammed Abu-basha4

5. Physical Examination 5. Blood pressure: The blood pressure should be no higher than 180 mm Hg systolic and 100 mm Hg diastolic. Prospective donors whose blood pressure is above these values should not be drawn without individual evaluation by a qualified physician. by Mohammed Abu-basha5

6. 6. Hemoglobin or packed cell volume (hematocrit): Before donation, the hemoglobin or hematocrit must be determined from a sample of blood obtained at the time of donation.  The table gives the lower limits of hemoglobin for accepting allogeneic donors. Individuals with unusually high hemoglobin or hematocrit levels may need to be evaluated by a physician because the elevated levels may reflect pulmonary, hematologic, or other abnormalities.

7. Hgb 14.0 – 18.0 g/dL Hct 35.0 – 60.0 % by Mohammed Abu-basha7

8. 7. Skin lesions: The skin at the site of venipuncture must be free of lesions. Individuals with boils, purulent wounds, or severe skin infections anywhere on the body should be deferred, as should anyone with purplish-red or hemorrhagic nodules suggestive of Kaposi’s sarcoma. by Mohammed Abu-basha8

9. 50-100 bpm 110 lbs 180 100 99.5°F 37.5°C    12.5 g/dL 38% In summary….

10. Am I Eligible to Donate? You can donate blood if you: Are healthy Are at least 17 years of age Weigh at least 110 pounds. by Mohammed Abu-basha10

11. The tables below address specific situations affecting donation eligibility. by Mohammed Abu-basha11

12. by Mohammed Abu-basha12

13. Donor Consent Written consent that allows donor center personnel to collect and use blood from the prospective donor is required. The consent form is part of the donor record and must be completed before donation. Wording equivalent in meaning to the following is suggested: “I have read and understand the information provided to me regarding the spread of the AIDS virus (HIV) by blood and plasma. If I am potentially at risk for spreading the virus known to cause AIDS, I agree not to donate blood or plasma for transfusion to another person or for further manufacture. I understand that my blood will be tested for HIV and other disease markers; however, by Mohammed Abu-basha13

14. there may be unforeseen circumstances when infectious disease testing may not be performed. If this testing indicates that I should no longer donate blood or plasma because of the risk of transmitting an infectious disease, my name will be entered on a list of permanently deferred donors. I understand that I will be notified of a positive laboratory test result(s). If, instead, the results of the testing are not clearly negative or positive, my blood will not be used and my name may be placed on a deferral list.” by Mohammed Abu-basha14

15. What does the term “donor deferral” mean? Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as "deferred" donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process. Whether or not a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend on the specific reason for disqualification (e.g., a person may be deferred temporarily because of anemia, a condition that is usually reversible). by Mohammed Abu-basha15

16. If a person is to be deferred, his or her name is entered into a list of deferred donors maintained by the blood center, often known as the "deferral registry." If a deferred donor attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the donor will not be accepted for donation. Once the reason for the deferral no longer exists and the temporary deferral period has lapsed, the donor may return to the blood bank and be re-entered into the system. by Mohammed Abu-basha16

17. by Mohammed Abu-basha17

18. Those who may be deferred include: Anyone who has ever used intravenous drugs (illegal IV drugs) Men who have had sexual contact with other men since 1977 Anyone with a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus) Men and women who have engaged in sex for money or drugs since 1977 Anyone who has had hepatitis since his or her eleventh birthday Anyone who has had babesiosis or Chagas disease Anyone who has taken Tegison for psoriasis Anyone who has risk factors for Crueutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) or who has a blood relative with CJD Anyone who has risk factors for vCJD by Mohammed Abu-basha18

19. If I just received a flu shot, can I donate blood?  Yes. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving a flu shot. If I have a cold or the flu, can I donate blood?  In order to donate, blood centers require that you be in generally good health (symptom-free) and recommend that you are feeling well. by Mohammed Abu-basha19

20. Can I still donate if I have high blood pressure?  Yes, if your blood pressure in under control and within the limits set in the donation guidelines. What if I have anemia? You cannot give blood if you have anemia. However, this can often be a temporary condition. Your hemoglobin will be tested before you donate to make sure it is at an acceptable level. by Mohammed Abu-basha20

21. How can I increase my iron level? Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hematocrit (iron) level. This restriction is for the safety of the donor and ensures that after donation, the donor's hematocrit level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. Since hematocrit levels can fluctuate daily, a deferral for a low hematocrit level does not mean a donor is anemic. A donor may help increase his or her hematocrit levels by eating foods high in iron such as red meat, dark green vegetables and raisins or by taking a multivitamin that contains iron. by Mohammed Abu-basha21

22. How long will the actual donation process take? The actual donation takes about 5-10 minutes. The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes about one hour. by Mohammed Abu-basha22

23. How Often Can I Donate Whole Blood? You must wait 56 days between whole-blood donations to allow the number of red blood cells in your body to return to a predonation level. by Mohammed Abu-basha23