MLS

• Blood donation


  The collection, testing, preparation, and storage of blood from donors who are usually volunteers
• Purpose of blood donation

  • Ensures steady supply of blood for patients needing surgery, those suffering from certain diseases, and those who have been victims of accidents
  • Can be for the benefit of a particular person (directed donor blood) or for the benefit of the donor himself/herself (autologous blood donation)
• Venipuncture for blood donation

  1. Part of the entire process of handling blood collection from donors

  2. Similar to blood sampling but with additional measures such as donor screening and deferral to ensure safety of blood supply and prevent infections or contaminations
• Goals of performing blood donor phlebotomy

  • Ensure safety of donors
  • Minimize and prevent contamination in the donated blood
  • Conduct safe collection of donated blood for therapeutic purposes
  • Ensure other personnel are well-trained and qualified to do the venipuncture procedure
• Blood donation process


  1. Donor screening

  2. Donor registration

  3. Medical history

  4. Donor interview

  5. Physical examination

  6. Guidance on venipuncture

  7. Preparing the venipuncture site

  8. Collecting the blood

  9. Monitoring the donor and the donated unit

  10. Removing the needle and collecting laboratory samples

  11. Transporting blood donor units and samples
• Blood donation usually takes 45 to 60 minutes and it is a safe, simple and rewarding procedure
• Donors should be at least 110 pounds and generally healthy
• A well-trained and qualified phlebotomist is the best service personnel to perform the venipuncture for blood donation
• Donor screening


  The donor is asked about his/her health, lifestyle, and disease risk factors
• Donor registration


  The donor needs to complete a donor registration form which includes his/her name, address, and other demographic information
• Medical history


  The donor will have to confirm if he/she has any health issues and disease risk factors
• Donor interview


  The donor will have a brief interview with the healthcare personnel to ensure that the donor has met the general donor requirements
• Physical examination


  A short health exam (pulse, temperature, and blood pressure) will be conducted and a drop of blood from the donor's finger will be tested to ensure that his/her blood iron level is suitable for donation
• Guidance on venipuncture for blood donation


  A short briefing on the procedure will be given by the health personnel
• Preparing the venipuncture site

  The donor will be led to the donor area where the arm is cleaned with antiseptic and the vein for venipuncture is selected
• Collecting the blood


  The unit of blood will be collected in the donor area by the health personnel
• Events in blood donation


  The healthcare personnel will have to monitor the donor for adverse effects during and after the blood collection. The donor should remain seated for a few minutes before leaving the room to ensure that he/she is not suffering from dizziness due to the procedure.
• Donor care post phlebotomy

  The venipuncture site should be inspected and refreshments should be offered to the donor before he/she leaves the area
• Donor blood processing


  The collected blood unit is prepared and placed in the proper container for transport to the processing area
• Donated blood labeling


  The information indicated on the label found in the blood unit must be double-checked. It should be complete and accurate
• Minimum requirements for venipuncture for blood donation

  • Collect and assemble all the equipment and supplies needed for the procedure ahead of time
  • Maintain and regularly calibrate the equipment (blood pressure monitors, scales, donor couches, chairs, beds, blood collection mixers, blood bag sealers, blood transportation boxes, and blood bank refrigerators)
  • Ensure the furniture and equipment have cleanable surfaces and are kept clean and disinfected
  • Use a closed collection system (sterile blood collection bag with attached tube and needle) to minimize contamination
  • Obtain the first 20 ml of blood for hemoglobin testing
• Procedure while doing venipuncture for blood donation

  1. Identify the donor and label the collection bag and test tubes

  2. Select the vein

  3. Perform hand hygiene and wear well-fitting gloves

  4. Disinfect the donor's skin

  5. Perform the venipuncture

  6. Monitor the donor and the donated unit

  7. Remove the needle and collect the laboratory samples
• Proper identification of the donor is necessary
• The phlebotomist should make sure that the blood collection bag is of the correct type and is properly labeled along with the satellite bags and test tubes
• The donor's information (name and number) as seen on the forms should match the label on the collection equipment
• The phlebotomist should choose a large and firm vein such as the antecubital fossa as the preferred site for the venipuncture
• Proper hand hygiene procedure should be performed prior to venipuncture for blood donation
• The selected venipuncture site should be cleaned thoroughly
• The phlebotomist should not touch the site after it has been disinfected
• The phlebotomist should not use the finger to guide the shaft of the needle
• The phlebotomist should repeat the disinfection procedure if the site has been touched
• A 16-gauge needle should be gently attached to the collection bag
• The needle should be cut off at the end of the procedure
• The donor should be asked to open and close his/her fist slowly during the collection (10-15 seconds)
• The tourniquet should be removed after the blood flow is established or after two (2) minutes
• The donor and the injection site should be monitored closely all throughout the process
• The collected blood should be mixed with anticoagulant either manually or by continuous mechanical mixing during the donation procedure observing approximately a 30-second interval
• The donor should relax and remain in the chair for a few minutes after the procedure
• The phlebotomist should inspect the venipuncture site and apply bandage and continue to apply pressure
• The donor should be asked to stand up slowly and confirm he/she doesn't feel dizzy before the later is allowed to leave the room