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| Blood Center |
What is Automated Blood Collection?
Automated blood collection (sometimes called apheresis), or ABC, is a special kind of blood donation. Instead of giving one pint of whole blood (as in a regular donation), an ABC donor gives only those components of the blood needed for patients that day.
How does ABC work?
Using a disposable, single use collection kit, blood is drawn from your arm
and passed through a blood cell separator, which collects the needed blood
components. The other parts of your blood that are not needed for patients
are returned to you through the same needle or a second needle in your other
arm.
Why Automated Blood Collection?
It's better for patients. By collecting the
optimal number of blood components at each donation, we can help ensure
an adequate blood supply for patients in need. This helps eliminate blood
shortages and ensure that these lifesaving products are available for
the community.
It's better for the donor. Blood donors can make the most of their time at the blood center by giving the optimal type and number of blood components that is safe for them to donate that day. Blood donors giving automated blood donations can provide the specific components most needed by patients. Donors can come in less frequently, saving time and trips to the blood center.
Who can do Automated Blood Collection?
Donor health and medical history requirements are the same as
for a whole blood donation. In addition, the donor must have good veins
and an adequate blood volume and platelet count. Blood volume is based
on the height, weight, gender and hematocrit of the donor.
Will I give too much blood?
Automated donations are very safe! Each donor's donation is based on gender,
height, weight and hematocrit (the number of red blood cells), and platelet
count for platelet donations. This information is entered into the blood
collection instrument, which calculates the components you can safely give.
All automated blood collections are customized for you with your safety as
our #1 priority.
What are the possible side effects?
Like whole blood, ABC donations differ between individuals.
When compared with whole blood, the potential reaction rates are similar.
During an ABC donation, the technician can give you sterile fluids to
replace the blood volume lost during the donation. Many donors actually
feel better after an ABC donation than after a whole blood donation where
no volume is replaced. If you feel any discomfort, adjustments can be
made to assure you have a pleasant experience.
How do I know I won't get something from someone else's blood
in the machine?
Cleanliness and sterility are of major importance for us, too.
Each procedure uses a sterile, single use, disposable tubing set. The
tubing is all enclosed so blood doesn't ever come into contact with the
machine.
I don't think I could handle a needle in my arm for that long.
Most ABC procedures use only a single needle. The needle is smaller than the
one used for whole blood donation, and many donors find the ABC needle more
comfortable.
I don't mind donating, but I don't like the idea of anything
coming back into me.
Many first-time ABC donors express this concern. Remember that
each procedure used a sterile, single use, disposable tubing set. This
eliminates the risk of "catching anything" during the procedure. In addition,
most donors can't even tell when the blood is coming out or going in.
It shouldn't feel much different than when you donate whole blood.
Who can I contact about the ABC program, and where can I donate?
Appointment Office
650-723-7831Automated Collections Supervisor
650-724-6772Donor Services Director
650-725-2767Campus Donor Center
780 Welch Road, Suite 100
Palo AltoMountain View Donor Center
515 South Drive, Suite 20
Mountain View
