The De Los Santos Medical Center (DLSMC) Blood Bank now adds Apheresis Blood Collection to its roster of services for patients and donors. Apheresis blood collection is a procedure where specific blood components such as platelets, plasma or red/white blood cells are extracted from the whole blood, and the rest is returned back to the donor after. It is a process where instead of getting a pint of whole blood, only specific components are gathered and infused into the recipient. The product derived from apheresis donation is used to treat medical conditions such as leukemia and other blood disorders.
Before undergoing Apheresis, donors are thoroughly screened. The have to be within ages ranging from 16 to 65 years old, are healthy, weigh at least 110 lbs (50 kgs), have no coughs or colds during the day of blood donation, have not smoked within 2-4 hours, have a blood pressure between 90-140 mmHg (Systolic) and 60-100 mmHg (Diastolic) and disclose any travel history countries with reported or confirmed cases of COVID-19. After which, physical examination is done to check for vital signs, skin lesions, tattoos and piercings. For donors who pass the screening protocols, blood will be extracted and tested for transfusion-transmissible infections which is the final step prior to the donation process.
There are several advantages of Apheresis compared to whole blood donation: 1) a person can donate more frequently; as much as twice a week, 2) there is less exposure to several blood donors, and 3) there is less possible transfusion reaction. Apheresis is also used as a treatment for different diseases, known as therapeutic apheresis, where substances that cause the disease are removed from the blood.
DLSMC has a top-of-the-line Apheresis machine and well-trained staff who conduct and support patients and donors who undergo Apheresis blood collection. The hospital implements the strictest safety measures to ensure the protection of both the patient and donor during their stay so there is no need to delay the procedure during the pandemic.
For inquiries about Apheresis blood collection, call the DLSMC Blood Bank at 889-DLSMC (35762)/530-45762 ext. 3120.