The Rakesh Jain Memorial blood bank provides 24 hr service for in-patients, as well as requirements from other hospitals. It is equipped with an ultramodern collection centre, component lab & aphaeresis facility. Blood is made up of formed elements, red cells, leukocytes and platelets suspended in fluid plasma. Each of these components can be separated from whole blood and stored according to its storage requirement. Only indication of whole blood in today’s practice is Exchange Transfusion in neonate. Every other situation demands use of specific components like packed RBCs, FFP or Platelets.

The components that can be prepared from whole blood are:

1. RBC concentrate: The component is prepared from the whole blood immediately after collection.

  • Minimizes post-transfusion circulatory overload because of its small volume (250 ml)
  • Increases Hb quickly.
  • Minimizes transfusion of the unnecessary antibodies.
  • Also useful when ABO switch-over is done. E.g. A group patient is transfused with ‘O’ cells.

2. Random Donor Platelet: The production of platelets in a healthy adult is approximately 40,000/cumm/day. This production rate is balanced by daily removal of platelets from the circulation. Random donor platelets can be given without ABO compatibility.

3. Single Donor Platelet: It is possible to obtain only Platelets from a Donor by process called ‘Aphaeresis’. Like in routine blood donation, 350 ml. of blood is drawn from the donor. This is sent to a special Blood Bag, which is housed inside the Aphaeresis Machine. The machine spins, separates the Platelets and send the remaining blood components back to the donor’s body. This cycle is repeated 6-8 times and the whole process will take approx 60 to 90 minutes. Almost 300 ml. of Platelets is obtained in this manner from just one donor. The Platelets so collected are called Single Donor Platelets (SDP).

Advances in aphaeresis technology have made single donor platelets easier to obtain and therefore more plentiful. There are some hypothesized advantages to single donor platelets including reduced disease transmission, reduced all immunization, and superior function and storage characteristics. The major advantage to single donor platelets is that the selection of certain donor characteristics, such as HLA compatibility, is facilitated since a total dose of platelets is coming from one donor.

4. Fresh Frozen Plasma: Plasma separated from whole blood can be stored at or below-30 0C in deep freezer for one year and can be used for patients with significant coagulopathy.

5. Granulocyte concentrate: The role of granulocyte concentrate has decreased with-

  • Availability of new and better antibiotics.
  • Advent of granulocyte colony stimulating factors.
  • Adverse efforts of granulocyte transfusion.

6. Cryoprecipitate: Cryo is cryoprecipitate proteins derived from FFP.
Those willing to donate blood should take care of the following

  • Donor age should be between 18-65 years of age.
  • Medically fit
  • Eat something 3 hours prior
  • No alcohol consumption
  • Sound sleep minimum of 6 hours on previous night
  • In case on regular medicine, donor should contact blood bank prior to their visit to the hospital on (020) 6609 6000 Ext- 1130/1212