No other department in a pathological lab carries the same degree of responsibility as that of the blood bank, for in no other department is an error so likely to result in the

death of a patient. So, double-checking of the blood is always a must. The Drugs & Cosmetics Act has stipulated stringent standards for blood banks and because of this licensed blood banks have been few in number although, of late, new blood banks have been licensed in view of the extensive development of medical services.

Within the ABO system people can be one of four types – O, A, B or AB, whilst in the Rh system they can be either Rh positive or Rh negative. Each system is inherited independently of the other. Thus, there are eight main blood groups. They are, from the most common to the rarest:

O positive
A positive
O negative
B positive
A negative
B negative
AB positive
AB negative

• Age between 18 and 55 years
• Haemoglobin – not less than 12.5 g/dL
• Pulse – between 50 and 100/minute with no irregularities
• Blood Pressure – Systolic 90 – 180 mm Hg and Diastolic 50 – 100 mm Hg
• Temperature – Normal (oral temperature not exceeding 37.5 degree C)
• Body weight – not less than 46 Kg
• Health conditions:

1. Past one year not been treated for Rabies, had Jaundice, tested positive for Hepatitis B virus or received Hepatitis B immune globulin.
2. Past six months – a tattoo, ear or skin piercing or acupuncture, received blood or blood products, serious illness or major surgery, contact with a person with hepatitis or yellow jaundice.
3. Past three months – donated blood or been treated for Malaria.
4. Past one month – had any immunizations.
5. Past 48 hours – taken any antibiotics or any other medications (Allopathic or Ayurveda or Sidha or Homeo)
6. Past 24 hours – taken alcoholic beverages
7. Past 7 hours – had dental work or taken Aspirin
8. Present – suffering from cough, Flue or sore throat, cold, pregnancy or breast feeding
9. Free from Diabetes, not suffering from chest pain, heart disease or high BP, cancer, blood clotting problem or blood disease, unexplained fever, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, enlarged lymph nodes in armpits, neck or groin, white patches in the mouth etc
10. Lived in the Islands of West Africa, Haiti or Africa since 1970
11. Ever had TB, bronchial asthma or allergic disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, fits or fainting, blue or purple spots on the skin or mucous membranes, received human pituitary – growth hormones etc

To find out the eligibility of the blood donors and to rule out any contra indication for blood donation all the donors will be elaborately interrogated for the history and the incidence of the specific ailments by a planned questionnaire. Only after satisfactorily fulfilling the laid down basic criteria, the blood donors will be selected.

After blood collection, as a routine and mandatory procedure, the donor’s blood specimens will be screened for Malaria, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV 1 & 2 antibodies etc.

The following categories of people should avoid giving blood:

1. Pregnant or lactating women, or those who have recently had an abortion.
2. Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplements or certain specified medication.
3. Persons with multiple sexual partners or those who are addicted to drugs.
4. Persons who have had an attack of infection like jaundice, rubella, typhoid or malaria.
5. Persons who have undergone surgery in the previous six months.
6. Persons who have consumed alcohol in the 24 hours prior to donation.
7. Women should avoid donation during their menstruating period.
8. Those who have undergone various vaccinations should avoid donation for the corresponding period specified below:

9. Persons with any systemic disease like heart disease, kidney disease, liver problems, blood disorders or asthma should NOT donate blood.

10. Persons suffering from infections transmitted through transfusions like HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis etc should Not donate blood.

• Many cellular and protein components of blood can be separated from each other. Each blood component can then be used to replace a specific blood deficiency. Components are prepared from fresh blood. The whole blood pack is spun in a refrigerated centrifuge.
• RED CELL CONCENTRATES are the most widely used blood components. Most patients requiring transfusions are in need of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red cells. Of these a few require whole blood, but most are best treated by using only red cells for treatment of anaemia and chronic blood diseases.
• PLASMA is separated by spinning in a refrigerated centrifuge. It is used for treatment of some coagulation disorders.
• PLATELET CONCENTRATES are used to control bleeding due to platelet deficiency. These may be caused by a disease e.g. Leukaemia or may follow severe haemorrhage. Platelet concentrates can be stored for up to 5 days.
• CRYOPRECIPITATE is widely used for treatment of haemophilia A, the most common inherited bleeding disease.