Patients who require a transfusion may be able to donate blood to themselves at the Central Blood Bank through the Autologous Blood Donation Program.
Autologous donations are performed only at the written request of the physician, and only by appointment at the Central Blood Bank.
Donating blood is safe. Patients who can relax during the procedure do not experience discomfort.
Donations cannot be made if you have the cold or flu. You can donate three days after the symptoms have subsided.
Preoperative donations should me made no more than every three days, with the final phlebotomy occurring no later than 72 hours prior to surgery. A unit of blood is good for 42 days.
Autologous donors sign a release form. Medicare patients are also asked to sign a beneficiary agreement.
A non-refundable fee will be charged for each unit of blood collected. Units that are not transfused remain at the hospital that you have selected for surgery until they expire. The guidelines for an autologous donation prohibit your units from being used for other patients.
