|
2439 Broadway Quincy, IL 62301 Tel:217-224-5025 or 217-222-2477 Fax:217-222-5313 Email: redcross@adams.net |
|
|
2439 Broadway Quincy, IL 62301 Tel:217-224-5025 or 217-222-2477 Fax:217-222-5313 Email: redcross@adams.net |
|
1. Blood is a people product without substitute.
2. Every minute more than 25 units of blood or specialized blood components are transfused. That totals over 11.5 million units transfused in the United States each year. 3. Almost ninety eight percent of people who live to 72 will require some type of blood transfusion or blood product in their lifetime.(J. Garrott Allen, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Stanford Medical Center) 4. The Red Cross does not need blood, patients do. The Red Cross Blood Services exists for the sole purpose of collecting, processing, and distributing blood to those needing it every day. 5. Red Cross believes that people in the community--not the hospitalized patient--are responsible for ensuring that enough blood is donated to maintain an adequate supply. 6. All the blood donated in the Heart of America Region is given by volunteers, who do not accept payment for their donations. This blood is much less likely to transmit hepatitis or another disease to a recipient. 7. A single blood donation may help anywhere from 1 to 4 patients through use of component therapy. 8. Whole Blood is rarely ordered for patients. More often, physicians order component parts of the blood. The main components are red cells, platelets, plasma and plasma derivatives. 9. Red Cells are used in surgery, treatment of severe anemia, and internal bleeding and have a shelf life of 42 days. 10. Platelets are blood cells that help blood clot. They are given to patients with bleeding problems due to low platelet count. Diseases often requiring platelets are aplastic anemia, leukemia, and cancers. Platelets are used during procedures such as open heart surgery. Platelets must be extracted from the blood within 8 hours of donation and be used within 5 days of donation. 11. A leukemia patient could require 30 - 40 units of platelets a week during hospitalization. 12. Fresh frozen Plasma is used for the treatment of coagulation problems and burns. 13. Cryoprecipitate is a plasma component used in treating patients who lack some clotting factors. 14. Plasma derivatives also include serum albumin and plasma protein factor which are used to treat shock and burns. Other plasma derivatives are used to treat clotting factor deficeincies. 15. The need for blood increases yearly because: A) Over half the blood transfused is given to surgical patients. Currently the rate of elective (non-emergency) surgery is increasing at a greater rate than the population is growing. B) Some modern cardiac surgery, such as coronary bypass, require large amounts of blood per operation. C) Platelets are generally in great demand. We can now provide a safer platelet product. (see paragraph 22) 16. The goal of the Heart of America Region is to meet patient needs. The goal is more than 100,000 units annually. 17. All types of blood must be collected every day, yet type O donations are needed in greater proportion to their prevalence in the population as type O blood can be used in a more diversified manner therapeutically. 18. Blood Type Statistics: |
| Blood Type | Frequency | How many? |
|---|---|---|
| AB Neg | 0.6% | 1 in 160 |
| B Neg | 1.5% | 1 in 60 |
| AB Pos | 3.4% | 1 in 29 |
| A Neg | 6.3% | 1 in 16 |
| O Neg | 6.6% | 1 in 15 |
| B Pos | 8.5% | 1 in 12 |
| A Pos | 35.7% | 1 in 3 |
| O Pos | 37.4% | 1 in 3 |
| Total= | 100% | ****** |
|
19. Following donation each unit of blood is processed and tested before being shipped to hospitals. Tests are made for ABO and RH type as well as additional tests including: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, AIDS, Syphilis and other viruses.
20. The American Red Cross charges hospitals a processing fee to cover the costs involved in collecting, testing and distributing blood and blood products. The hospitals pass this charge on to patients, and add charges for typing, cross matching, and administration. These charges are generally covered by medical insurance. The Red Cross Blood Services must be financially self-supporting. It is a non-subsidized service. 21. The average person has between 10 to 12 pints of blood. In donating whole blood, a little less than one pint is taken. The body replaces the fluid loss within 24 hours, and the red cells within 4 to 6 weeks. A person can donate every 56 days. Pheresis donors may donate more often. 22. In an exceptional type of donation called Pheresis, even less fluid is taken from the donor. A pheresis procedure takes 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours and may only be performed at the Red Cross Blood Center in Peoria, IL. Blood is drawn from the arm, passed through a blood separating instrument where a needed component is removed (such as platelets). The rest of the blood is remixed and given back to the donor. 250 to 400cc of blood are processed at a time and the non-selected blood components return to the donor. In this way, specifically matched platelets or white cell concentrate can be obtained to treat severely ill leukemia and cancer patients. 23. Blood is needed 365 days a year and is only available when medically eligible donors take the time to give. Annually, only 4 to 5% of the population donates blood. 24. In order to donate blood you must: A) Be at least 17 years old; B) Weigh at least 110 pounds; C) Be in good general health; D) Feel well the day of donation 25. Common Medications: Acceptable Antibiotics: acceptable 48 hours following final dose if taken for infection. If no infection, acceptable immediately. Arthritis Medications Aspirin: acceptable up to 11 per day--unless platelet donor. Birth Control Pills Ulcer Medications: accept able if not a bleeding ulcer. Defer Cortisone: 1 week after last dose Accutane: 4 weeks after last dose Tegison: 4 years |
 |
