How to know if I can donate blood: Requirements and steps

Being a voluntary blood donor is an invaluable action for the world. Having blood for a transfusion in an emergency, priceless. How to know if I can donate blood: Requirements and steps, has the necessary information to carry out the donation process without any setback.

You are always welcome to read through this simple guide.

How do I know if I can donate blood?

According to the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Argentina, specifically in its Health section, they indicate that the basic conditions to donate blood are:

1. In the first place, be over sixteen years of age. However, people between the ages of 16 and 18 must have the authorization of their parents or legal guardian.
2. Have a good state of health
3. Weigh more than 65 kilograms
4. Have a food intake according to your height and daily activities

In the following link DONATE BLOOD , you can perform a short test. It will tell you if you are fit to donate blood.

Requirements

In Argentina, Law No. 22990 referred to the donation of Blood, provides that Donating blood is a voluntary and selfless act.

There is no justification for forcing people to donate blood. Likewise, medical services or sanitary practices should not be conditioned on previous blood donation or presenting potential donors.

Among the basic requirements to donate blood, we have:

1. To have good health
2. Be older than 18 years
3. Weight must be at least 50 kg
4. Having ingested food, that is, not being fasting
5. Personal identification must be shown
6. Donation day feel good
7. During the last year must not have been transfused
8. Do not consume drugs of any kind, nor be addicted
9. In the last twelve months, not having had risky sexual relations
10. In the last year not having had tattoos or piercings
11. Make sure you are not pregnant, nor are you lactating

Additionally, a pre-donation selection process is carried out, in order to detect that the blood donation does not negatively affect the donor and is also safe for the recipient.

During this process, it is possible that some extra information will be requested, which provides more detail in relation to the aptitude to be a donor.

It is suggested that doubts be cleared up with the staff who do the pre-donation interview.

Steps to be followed by the donor

When the person is ready to donate, they must attend the blood bank or a unit authorized for collection:

1. You will receive the attention of a professional team, informing you about the pre-donation.
2. You will then be interviewed by trained staff who will determine if you are eligible to donate blood. It is very important to highlight that the donor’s information is treated
3. If you are suitable for the donation, you will proceed to sign the consent to carry out the extraction.
4. The technical staff that will carry out the extraction strictly complies with hygiene, safety, comfort and quality standards, using disposable material.
5. The entire donation process lasts from half an hour to forty minutes. ‘ The extraction time ranges between 7 and 10 minutes.
6. At the end of the donation they will give you a light snack and advise you on the post-donation.

During blood collection, as such, pain should not be felt.

At the time of puncture, you will feel a pinch, similar to what you feel when taking a blood sample for analysis.

It is suggested to relax and be as calm as possible. If you feel discomfort during or after donating, you must inform the medical staff who are giving you care, so that they can carry out the necessary activities to alleviate it.

why donate blood

In Argentina, approximately 5,000 transfusions of blood components are performed.

Which Generate a contribution to help save lives and improve the health of those who require it.

It is necessary to constantly and continuously maintain blood donations, given that the conservation of blood fluid has a limited time, after which time it is no longer usable.

Regular blood donations are essential to ensure the availability of safe components when and where they are needed.

Blood cannot be reproduced in laboratories, and the only way to get it is through donations.

Therein lies the importance of having a large number of frequent voluntary donors.

What to do before donating blood

There are some considerations to take into account before going to donate blood, including:

1. Feeling in good condition, that is, not have symptoms of malaise, fever, cold or cough.
2. Having slept at least six hours that generate rest
3. Not be fasting.
4. Having had a healthy breakfast or lunch, with plenty of fluids, not alcohol.
5. Attend with comfortable clothing.
6. Have the original of your NI

What to do after donating blood

In the post-donation phase, you can usually continue with your usual activities.

Only in those activities at risk, the consultation should be made about the time to resume them after the donation.

Often they offer you a light snack. In order to recover liquids and sugar.

It is recommended to ingest them before leaving the unit where the donation was made. If you feel unwell, notify medical personnel and do not leave the place until you feel well.

They will give you proof of the donation and a «confidential self-exclusion» form so that you state your willingness to eliminate the unit of blood that was donated, this in case you consider that for justified reasons the blood is unreliable.

It is necessary that during the following six hours after the donation:

1. Avoid making efforts or carrying weight with the arm where it was donated, to avoid bruising.
2. Avoid sudden changes in position, as this could cause dizziness.
3. Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke, especially during the first two hours
4. Consume plenty of fluids, juice, milk, water…

In the event that in the week after donating blood, discomfort such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. occurs, contact the Donation Center and inform them about the symptoms.

Where can I donate blood in Argentina

In Argentina, blood donation campaigns are organized by the Blood Banks and also by the regional Hemotherapy Centers within the framework of the Provincial Hemotherapy Programs of the Ministries of Health of each zone.

These entities manage the amounts and types of blood components that are required by a certain population. In addition to being responsible for implementing the means to ensure their availability.

It is important to point out that blood banks should not condition treatment or hospitalization to the number of donors provided by a patient, although it does depend on the donors to have the availability of blood.

This situation makes the solidarity contribution of blood donors necessary and essential.

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