The Blood Donation Process
Bank of Blood.com
Donating blood is a safe, simple, and rewarding experience that
usually only takes 45-60 minutes.
Before You Donate
To donate blood, find a blood bank near you. You can also donate blood
in a Blood donation camp.
When You Arrive at the Blood Donation Center
• When you sign in, you will be asked to complete a donor registration
form, which includes your name, address, phone number, and various
other types of demographic information.
• You will also be asked to show your donor card or the type of
identification required by the particular blood bank you visit.
Pre-Donation Screening
• During pre-donation screening, a blood bank employee will ask you
some questions about your health, lifestyle, and disease risk factors.
All of this information is confidential.
• Next, an employee will perform a short health exam, taking your
pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
• A drop of blood from your finger will also be tested to ensure that
your blood hemoglobin level is sufficient for you to donate. All
medical equipment used for this test, as well as during the donation
process, is sterile, used only once and then disposed.
Blood Donation
• Once the pre-donation screening is finished, you will proceed to a
donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic, and a
professional will use a blood donation kit to draw blood from a vein
in your arm.
• During the donation process, you will donate one unit of blood; this
takes about eight to ten minutes.
Post-Donation
• Following your donation, you will receive refreshments in the
canteen area, where you can stay until you feel strong enough to
leave.
• After donating, it is recommended that you increase your fluid
intake for the next 24 to 48 hours; avoid strenuous physical exertion,
heavy lifting or pulling with the donation arm for about five hours;
and eat well balanced meals for the next 24 hours. After donating,
smoking and alcohol consumption is not recommended.
• Although donors seldom experience discomfort after donating, if you
feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes. If some bleeding
occurs after removal of the bandage, apply pressure to the site and
raise your arm for three to five minutes. If bruising or bleeding
appears under the skin, apply a cold pack periodically to the bruised
area during the first 24 hours, then warm, moist heat intermittently.
• If you have any questions concerning your donation or experience any
unexpected problems, please call the center where you donated blood.