The Transfusion Medicine Department, is located at Level-7 of the Hospital building, 32 Green Road, Dhanmondi. The department covers all aspects of the transfusion of blood and blood components including aspects related to hemovigilance. issues of blood donation, immunohematology and other laboratory testing for transfusion-transmitted diseases, management and monitoring of clinical transfusion practices, patient blood management, therapeutic apheresis and cellular therapy. Our blood bank is committed to providing 24-hours service, by use of cutting-edge technology and providing the most secured blood products by following standard protocol and quality in all aspects of blood screening, grouping, compatibility testing, component preparation, storage, and transportation. All procedures are overseen by a team of highly trained and skilled medical professionals, including transfusion medicine specialists, laboratory technicians, and nurses. These healthcare professionals work together to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care and that all transfusion-related procedures are conducted in a safe and effective manner.

Service Hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, with 24-hours support for emergency donation.

COLLECTION OF BLOOD

Prior to blood donation, the donors undergo a screening process which consists of confidential medical examinations including medical history, hemoglobin examination, blood pressure, weight, pulse and temperature check. Then, a small amount of blood sample is taken for grouping, check for infectious diseases and cross matching with the patient’s blood to identify compatible blood products for blood transfusions. Single Donor Apheresis Platelet (SDP) are prepared by connecting the donor to a machine and selectively collecting the platelet and returning the remaining blood components back to the donor. All our materials used in blood donation are strictly sterile and disposable.

General qualification for blood donation: general good health, weigh should be at least 50 kg, with no history of hepatitis and no risk of HIV. Donors’ age > 18 year, good general appearance. Donor temperature must not exceed 38°C (99.5 F) orally. Pulse should be 70-100 beats per minute, without pathologic irregularity. Blood pressure should be no higher than 160 systolic and 100 diastolic. Acceptable Hemoglobin Hgb is 12-18 g/dL. The venipuncture site skin (usually antecubital area) must be without lesions, remaining skin should be without significant lesions. Donation may be deferred for inadequate veins.

BLOOD COMPONENT AVAILABLE AT OUR BLOOD BANK:

·         Whole Blood     

·         Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC)

·         Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

·         Platelet Concentrate (PC)

·         Apheresis platelet

·         Cryoprecipitate

·         Cryo poor plasma

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

·         ABO Blood Grouping and Rhesus Typing

·         Rhesus Genotype and Phenotype

·         Direct Coombs Test (DCT)

·         Indirect Coombs Test (ICT)

·         Cross-matching

·         Antibody detection and titration

·         Haemolysin test

·         Screening of donors’ blood for HBV, HCV, HIV. Malaria and Syphilis

PREACAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE BLOOD DONATION:

v  Do not donate blood on an empty stomach

v  Maintain a gap of 30 min after meal

v  Drink 2 glasses of water before donation

v  Good sleep on the preceding night

v  Do not take alcohol 24 hours prior to blood

donation

v  No smoking 30 min before donation

v  Do not donate blood if you have fever, taking

Antibiotics, aspirin, antihistamine, blood thinner or insulin

PREACAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE BLOOD DONATION:

v  Remain seated for at least 10 minutes after donation

v  Lie down if any dizziness is experienced

v  If there is bleeding from venipuncture site, raise arm and apply pressure for 5-10 minutes

v  No smoking 30 min after donation

v  Drink more fluid, than normal, for next 4 hours

v  Remove bandage after 1 hour

v  Avoid driving, vigorous exercise or any physical sports, for at least 2-3hrs after blood donation

v  If the symptom persists, please talk to your physician

v  Resume all normal activity if asymptomatic

STORAGE OF BLOOD

We store Whole Blood, Packed red blood cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrate gathered via blood donation from family members, friends, and volunteer donors.

The collected Whole Blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate it into different components. It is stored at 2-6°C, and preserved for 35 days with CPDA-1.

The packed Red Blood Cells (RBC) are refrigerated with an anti-coagulant solution (CPDA-1) to extend shelf life to 35 days.

The less dense blood plasma is made into Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) by freezing it promptly within 6 hours of collection; it is stored at –30°C or colder for one year. The platelets are stored in an incubator at 20-24°C temperature with agitation, and have a shelf life of five days. Since they are stored at room temperature, they are at high risk for growing bacteria. So, we are routinely doing quality checks which include blood count, pH and culture.

Benefits of Blood donation:

Blood donation is a healthy habit which has many benefits. Here are some of the benefits that a donor will experience:

ü  A free health screening while the donor is being tested for eligibility

ü  Giving blood can reduce harmful iron stores, thus helping to keep liver healthy

ü  Helps to lower the risk of heart attack