As part of the World Blood Donors day on 14TH June, the Department of Public Health Dentistry Azeezia College of Dental Science and Research and NSS(NSS/SFU/KLM/KUHS/3) organized a visit to Blood bank, Azeezia Medical College at 10 am. The world observes world blood donors day to raise awarenesss about the importance of donating blood and supporting communities.It urges people to donate blood to keep the supply of healthy blood for the healthcare industry. Regular blood donation is linked to lower Blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attack.
In the blood bank in Azeezia Medical College, Mrs.Navya guided us through the entire procedures.
It has 5 compartments;
- Donation room
- Storage room
- Seperating room
- Cross matching and blood grouping room
- TTD room
In the donation Room, the donors criteria was explained thoroughly.The donors criteria include weight of 55 or above, must have no addictions (smoking, alcohol, drugs) Malignant diseases, blood borne diseases or adequate gap after certain vaccines. counselling is provided to the donors before the procedures. They introduced us to 3 bags for blood storage such as single bag, double bag, and triple bag. Significance of these bag were to store the different components of blood such as FFP (fresh frozen plasma) RBC [red blood cell] and platelets.The blood initially collected is called whole blood which contain all the components and this is later separated. A small quantityofblood is used to conduct serological and blood group detection test. Also the untested blood is stored here.
In the storage room, the blood bags were stored according to their respective blood groups in refrigerator. They are maintained in a cool environment and become unusable once they are melted. Each blood bag has a label containing a serial number instead of the donors name, respective blood group, Rh group and serological test results.The storage period of RBC and plasma is 35 days and for FFP it is I year and platelet 5 days. Triple bag life can be extended by addition of SAGUM (saline adenine glucose manitol). The serological and cross matching test are done on segments instead of opening the whole bag. After that we were introduced to the separating room. Here we were introduced to 3 different machines called centrifuge machine where the blood is centrifuged at high or low speeds. A maximum of 4 buckets can be placed and cool temperature is maintained. Next was a platelet agitator or incubator machine in which the platelets are always in a constant state of motions to prevent clumping.Platelet are always stored with plasma. Lastly a plasma expressor machine where it is first sterilized with UV light followed by separation of plasma from blood.
In the cross matching and blood grouping room, the patient and donor blood are cross matched to check their compatibility by test like Gel Card Test. In Gel Card Test donors cell suspension is made by adding 10 microns of donor’s blood to LISS. 50 microns of this cell suspension dropped at 450 along with 25 microns of patient plasma added at 900. This is called Major GelCard Test and vice versa, is called Minor Gel Card Test. A positive result indicates incompatibility where as negatives result indicates compatibility with patient’s blood.Du text is used to demonstrate Rh negative.
Lastly, we were introduced to the TTD room that is Transfusion Transmitted Disease Room. This is the most important room among the others as this is where serological tests like (ELISA) is performed in order detect blood borne diseases (such as HIV,HSV,etc). Here we saw various instruments like microtiterplate, wells, well washer, and reader that shows whether the blood is the positive or negative of particular diseases. Finally all our doubts were cleared in an interactive session.
It was very informative and interesting session, we understood the importance of blood donation, it’s procedure, the criteria required for donating blood and the consequences,if it is not carried out appropriately. “Every drop counts , donate blood and be the reason for someone’s heart beat”.
