What is the procedure when giving blood (National Blood Services (NBS))

Member Name: rebjayal

Product:	National Blood Services (NBS)
Date:	16/12/08 (169 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick, easy, painless

Disadvantages: None

This review is only about what to expect when making a donation, and not about what happens to the blood etc.

Firstly, can you donate?

You cannot ever give blood if;
You have HIV/AIDS, heb B or hep C,
Are a man who has had sex with a man,
You have ever been a prostitute or injected drugs,
Have had a blood transfusion since 1980.

You can't give blood if you are pregnant, have had a baby within the previous 9 months, if you weight less than 8 stone, or have had some medical conditions or are taking some medications.

When you arrive to give blood, you will be asked to read a small folder containing relevant information, and to fill in a short questionnaire. Assuming the centre is not very busy, this should take no longer than 10 minutes.

Next you will be taken to a booth where you will be asked to confirm your name and DOB, if you have stated that you have been abroad in the last 12 months on your questionnaire, you will be asked where you visited, you will also be asked to name medications you have taken recently. The nurse will take a small drop of blood from the tip of your index finger and drop it in a solution to test it. This feels like a pin prick. Assuming your blood sinks to the bottom of the solution, you are now ready to give blood.

Next you will be taken to a bed, you will have a strap put around the top of your arm, this does not hurt. You will be asken to make a fist while the nurse looks for a vein. When the nurse finds a vein, the area will be cleaned and the needle will be inserted. If you are squeemish, it is best to look away, although this does not hurt. All you have to do now is lie back and relax.

After your donation, you will be encouraged to sit down, have a drink and a biscuit.

Occasionally you may not be able to donate, or will have to stop the donation, the worst that has happened to me is a small bruise at the donation site, and I fainted once.

You will be told activities you cannot participate in for a few hours after your donation, these include things like deep sea diving.

Summary: If you can, you may as well.