Autologous Blood Donation
Autologous Blood Donation (ABT) is the donation of your blood for your own use later, e.g. for a planned surgery. |
Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a process in which the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, is removed from your blood cells by a device known as a cell separator |
Plateletpheresis
Plateletpheresis is the harvesting of platelets using an apheresis machine. |
What are the benefits of ABT?
|
" Very low risk of blood transfusion reaction when you receive the blood as it matches yours.
" You can be sure that there will be blood available for you especially if you have a rare blood type
" You will not be at any risk of getting transfusion transmitted diseases, e.g., hepatitis B or C, AIDS, etc.
" It is a safe and well-tested procedure.
" Reduces the demand on the general blood stock
|
How is ABT carried out?
|
" Before your planned surgery, ask your doctors about ABT. After getting your written consent, he will make the necessary arrangements for you.
" Your doctor will give you iron supplements to take one week before the first donation. These should be continued for 3 months after the last donation.
" At the appointed dates, your blood can be collected at the HSA Blood Bank at Outram Road and Blood Donation Centre at NUH. It can be stored (for up to five weeks) for your own use later.
" Depending on how much blood you will need, your blood can be collected once every three days if your blood level is acceptable.
" Your last donation should be at least 72 hours before the operation date.
" When it is closer to the date of your surgery, your blood will stored at the blood bank at your hospital for your own use.
|
You can have ABT if :
|
" You are less than 65 years old
" You do not have serious medical illness like severe heart and lung illness.
" Your haemoglobin is at least 11 g/dl before each donation.
|
|
|
What are platelets?
|
Platelets are the small cell fragments that are responsible for the blood clotting when bleeding occurs. It works together with the clotting factors to maintain haemostasis and prevent further bleeding.
|
Why do we need platelets?
|
Platelets are needed in patients with low platelet counts or in patients who have platelet with abnormal function. These conditions are common in cancer patients after chemotherapy and in some form of haematological disorders. The patients can suffer from continuous bleeding or even death if no platelet transfusions are given.
|
How much platelets do we need?
|
If normal whole blood transfusion is used, we must pool platelets from four to six donors to provide enough for one patient. With plateletpheresis, one donor can supply sufficient platelet for one patient requirement. This will save the patient from unnecessary exposure to multiple donors' blood products and the potential complications that arise from it.
|
Where can plateletpheresis be performed?
|
Plateletpheresis can be performed in Bloodbank@HSA from Monday to Saturday. The whole process takes 60-90 minutes and the donors can donate every 6 weeks. Appointment is strongly advised to avoid unnecessary long waiting time.
|
|
