How do I know if I can donate blood? This doubt can arise at any time. Whether it is when a loved one needs us or duty calls us, it is important to know the requirements and steps to follow to donate blood in Puerto Rico.
How do I know if I can donate blood in Puerto Rico?
This is a topic about which there are always doubts. Especially in seasons when there is almost no income to blood banks (as in January, due to celebrations and parties) as in the rest of the year, many people want to do it, but do not know how or if they can donate blood in Puerto Rico.
There are currently two main entities within the island that are in charge of collecting blood and platelets: the Puerto Rico Blood Bank of the Medical Center and the Mutual Services Blood Bank.
The first of these centers is in charge of managing the blood collection service at the public level, to meet the needs of hospital and outpatient patients of the Centro Médico de Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the second is in charge of providing services for the entire private sector within the country.
Once you know these two institutions in charge of donating blood in the confines of the island, you can move on to the next question How do I know if I can donate blood in Puerto Rico?
Requirements
The requirements you must meet to be able to donate blood in Puerto Rico are the following:
- Have 18 years old As minimum. the youth of 17 and 16 years they can donate in emergencies, as long as a guardian or legal representative accompanies them and fills out a consent form.
- Present your identity document with a photograph when you attend the health center.
- weigh at least 110 pounds (which would be something like 50 kilograms).
- In case of donating platelets the minimum weight will rise to 130 pounds (about 60 kilograms).
- Be in good health.
- Make known the medication you are taking or have taken prior to the procedure, so that it can be considered whether the process would be counterproductive for the sample to be issued and the health of the donor.
- Communicate if at any time in the life of the donor he underwent any surgical and radiological process. This is done because this type of procedure can affect the person receiving the sample.
- Declare if a trip has been made outside the USA During last year. Since there are countries registered with risks of pests and diseases during certain dates or continuously, it is important to consult if there is a possibility that this affected the donor.
- For people with hypertension or diabetes to donate, they must first have their signs controlled.
Steps to follow
The procedure to donate blood in Puerto Rico it is rather simple. You should start by going to the blood bank closest to your home and filling out the form that is given to you after verifying that you meet the requirements explained above.
After completing this part, a small blood sample will be taken from you to be tested to make sure you do not have a communicable and contagious disease.
If you do not meet the conditions, the doctor or nurse in charge will inform you why and you will have to withdraw and present yourself another time.
Important! A very common mistake that donors make is to show up fasting. This is terrible!
Not only will your blood not have the nutrients you may need, but you will most likely feel very sick after completing the process, which is very dangerous. Also make sure you get enough rest the night before. The better condition you are in, the less likely it is that something will go wrong.
Once it is reviewed that you meet the requirements, you can proceed to have the incision made. It is generally done in one of the veins found in the elbow fossa to be able to extract more or less 450 milliliters of blood at a time.
Try to pay attention during the procedure to the materials used. The utensils must be disposable and single-use to prevent the spread of any disease or infection during the donation.
It is important that after donating the blood you are given a few minutes to rest. Preferably you are given a glass of natural juice or plenty of water. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in the hours after the donation. Also do it with hot areas or excessive physical effort within the following 24 hours.
Who can donate blood
The people who are allowed to donate blood are those that meet the requirements that we already explained. As long as you are in good health, are older than 16 years and the test to detect communicable diseases is negative, you will be able to donate blood without impediments.
Who can’t donate blood
The people who are not allowed to donate blood They are those that fall into the following groups:
- People who have had tattoos or piercings in the last year.
- People with hypertension or diabetes who do not have their condition under control.
- Pregnant women.
- Women who have recently given birth.
- People with recent surgeries.
- People who have traveled in recent months outside the island and from USA in the last few months.
- Sex workers.
- People who have consumed or consume drugs.
- Carriers of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or those who believe that there is a possibility of having it.
- Carriers of the hepatitis B or C virus, or who believe that there is a possibility of having it.
- Men and women who have had sexual contact in the last year with sex workers.
- Men and women who have had sexual contact with more than two different people in the last year.
- People who have suffered hepatitis after 10 years of age.
- under 16 years.
- People who have been diagnosed with any of the following diseases:
- Zika.
- Dengue.
- Chikungunya.
- Rheumatoid AIDS.
- Arthritis.
- Leukemia.
- Chagas disease.
- Cancer.
- Jacob’s disease.
- Babesiophys.
- Syphilis.
- Heroes.
- Hepatitis of any kind.
- Lyme’s desease.
- Malaria.
- Among other
In any of the above cases, the medical professional at the blood bank must inform you of the reasons why your sample cannot be accepted. If you suffer from any disease, an attempt will be made to refer you to another specialist who will treat you.
Benefits of donating blood
Some of the benefits of donating blood and that can motivate you to do it (beyond wanting to help others) are the ones that we will explain here:
- Donating blood decreases the risk of suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest and having a cerebrovascular accident.
- Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
- On average, for each blood donation you can collaborate with the treatment of four patients.
- The body begins to make new cells after the reduction of fluid in the system. This just means that clean, new blood begins to be produced.
- Creates a balance in iron levels. While it is true that the lack of this protein is terrible (because it is the one that carries oxygen to the body’s tissues), its excess can also be fatal. For women who are not yet through menopause, this reduces their chances of having a heart attack in a 88%
- The blood begins to flow better, since there is less risk of blockage in the arteries. This reduces the chances of strokes and heart attacks.
- People who donate altruistically release hormones related to empathy and happiness.
- You allow studies and technological and scientific advances to be carried out that allow the living conditions of the human species.
- It serves as a small medical check-up. Since the review before you are allowed to donate consists of several health tests, you will be able to check your pulse, hemoglobin levels, pressure, and verify that you do not suffer from any of the aforementioned diseases.
Where can I donate blood in Puerto Rico?
At this point you already know the requirements, the procedure, the benefits and who can and cannot donate blood. You are already decided and prepared with everything in your hands and you only have to know Where can I donate blood in Puerto Rico?
As we already explained, there are two institutions that are in charge of carrying out this procedure, for different purposes. Each one has different delegations in which you can attend yourself.
In the case of the Blood Bank of the Puerto Rico Medical Center, they can assist you from Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to donate blood. The location of the same is on the road No. 22, in Bo. Monacillos, San Juan Municipality, Río Piedras, within the Reparto Metropolitano urbanization.
On the other hand, Banco de Sangre de Servicios Mutuos has different offices where you can present yourself:
- Herd King. They attend you there from Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you wish to contact the center, you can do so by calling 787 751 6161.
- bayamon. This is located in front of the Hima San Pablo Hospital, in the Carimet Plaza building, Suite 202. Here you will be attended from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you wish to contact the center, you can do so by calling 787 785 2797.
- caguas. You can attend the Hima San Pablo Hospital, next to the chapel, from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you wish to contact the center, you can do so by calling 787 653 3434.
- Fajardo. If you go to the Hima San Pablo Hospital, within the complex and in the OPD Building, they can assist you from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm If you wish to contact the center, you can do so by calling 787 370 6968.
- Mayaguez. Attending the Santander Security Plaza Building, in Suite 206, you will be attended to from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm If you wish to contact the center, you can do so by calling 787 834 6099.
Donating blood is an act of help for anyone who urgently needs this assistance, and we know that there are many people on the island willing to lend a hand to whoever needs it. Therefore, we hope that after this you have resolved How do I know if I can donate blood?
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