Version June 2014 - PDF document

Version June 2014 What is Pre - operative Autologous Blood Donation? Pre - operative Autologous blood donation (PAD) is the process of donating one's own blood prior to a planned surgery to avoid or reduce the need for a transfu sion of somebody else’s blood. PAD is only i ndicated when there is a very high chance of needing a blood transfusion (that is in high blood loss surgeries). PAD is only considered in healthy individuals when there is sufficient time allowed for pre - donating. What are the advantages of autologous bl ood donation? 1. Prevents transfusion - transmitted disease. 2. Prevent red cell alloimmunization (developing anti - bodies to blood). 3. Decreases the need for transfusion with another person’s blood. 4. Prevents some adverse transfusion reactions. 5. Provides reassurance to patients concerned about blood risks. What are the disadvantages of autologous blood donation? 1. Blood that is unused will be discarded. 2. If surgery is postponed or cancelled, blood may be outdated and need to be discarded. What are the risks of autologous blood donation? 1. The blood may become contaminated. 2. The blood may be labeled incorrectly resulting in the receipt of somebody else’s blood. 3. May cause a lower blood count just before surgery which will increase the likelihood of transfusion. 4. An unnecessary blood transfusion may occur simply because an autologous blood supply exists. 5. Occasionally some people feel light headed or dizzy during or after the donation; fainting can occur. 6. There may be some technical difficulty with the donation pr ocess like the bag breaking or insufficient blood collected. Each patient is evaluated individually and approval must be obtained. The Process of Autologous Blood Donation 1. Identification of a candidate for autologous donation (by patient or surgeon) at least 4 - 6 weeks prior to surgery. 2. Discussion of Risks/Benefits/Alternatives & process with the candidate. 3. Candidate makes informed choice to participate or not. 4. Blood Conservation Service (BCS) submits referral to Canadian Blood Service (CBS) for approval. 5. CBS arranges appointments to donate. 6. BCS & CBS coordinate appointments. 7. PAD Appointment(s) 2 - 3 weeks prior to surgery (once per week only). P P P r r r e e e - - - o o o p p p e e e r r r a a a t t t i i i v v v e e e A A A u u u t t t o o o l l l o o o g g g o o o u u u s s s B B B l l l o o o o o o d d d D D D o o o n n n a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n B B B l l l o o o o o o d d d C C C o o o n n n s s s e e e r r r v v v a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n S S S e e e r r r v v v i i i c c c e e e Who are not good candidates for PAD? There are certain medical conditions that make patients poor candidates to pre donate. Donor - patients considered not to be candidates are those with:  Evidence of infection.  Heart disease or stroke or blood clots.  Sei zure disorder.  On certain medications like insulin or blood thinners.  Uncontrolled high blood pressure. Version June 2014 NA481, 700 McDermot Avenue Winnipeg, MB

R3E 0T2 Phone: 204 - 787 - 1277 Website: www.bloodconservation.mb.ca Patient Instructions 1. Medications such as iron supplements and erythropoietin stimulating agents are often required in order to avoid a low blood count after blood donation. These will be ordered by the Blood Conservation Service. You may be required to purchase these medications and attend the Blood Conservation clinic. 2. If you are not feeling well prior to your Blo od collection, you must contact the donor center (204 - 789 - 1068). If time allows, your donation will be rescheduled for when you are feeling better. 3. Consider bringing a responsible person to help you. This helper can drive, if necessary, and help you in ta king notes, holding things and more. 4. Remember to set aside on your schedule one to two hours for each donation visit. This will allow enough time for extra waiting, paperwork, screening, donating your blood and some recovery time. 5. It is good to have a com plete (not huge) breakfast. Be sure to drink at least two or three glasses of fluid in the hours prior to the blood donation. This will help to keep you from feeling faint during and after the procedure. 6. Bring your Manitoba Health Card to each appointme nt. 7. You will be screened once you arrive at CBS for your appointment. A brief medical history is taken from you, as well as your pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and a finger - stick blood sample to check your blood count. Your medications are discussed, so be sure you arrive at your appointment with a list of your medications. 8. The PAD process is similar to the regular blood donation process. A tourniquet is placed on the upper arm to increase the pressure in the arm veins and make them swell and easier to put a needle in. Once a suitable vein is identified, the area where the needle will be inserted is cleansed with an iodine - containing antiseptic. You will sit in a recliner chair for about 10 minutes while your blood is collected. Blood is collected in st erile plastic bags that hold one pint (450 ml). The bags contain a solution to prevent clotting and preservatives to keep the blood cells alive. 9. After the donation, rest, fluids and/or light refreshments are encouraged to prevent possible side effects suc h as dizziness and nausea. 10. Once you have successfully donated your blood the surgeon is notified of the blood availability. Canadian Blood Services will give you a card to bring to hospital so that the hospital staff is informed of your pre - donated units. It is very important to tell the staff at the hospital that you have pre - donated when you get there. Avoiding Anemia with Pre - operative Autologous Blood Donation Most patients will be encouraged to start iron supplements. Iron is needed to re - build red bl ood cells. Some patients may need erythropoietin stimulating agents (a hormone that increases red blood cells). This medication can only be prescribed by BCS. This will be discussed in detail with you if you need this medication. In some cases it is not n eeded but that is often determined after the first donation. In some cases only one donation is allowed (if the blood count drops more than expected