Blood Bank

The Blood Bank Division of PHC is just adjacent to the Main Laboratory. In the Blood Bank
division, the main goal is to provide quality blood products for patients who needs it ASAP. However,
there are categories when a person wishes to donate blood, it is either for Replacement, meaning
he/she donates to replace the blood products being used by his/her patient, regardless of blood type
and blood products acquired, or as a Volunteer, meaning he submits himself/herself for blood donation,
freely and willingly. They will be given a card which corresponds to their blood type and that card is
nontransferable but they can always use it and present in cases wherein they need blood and in their
future donations. Blood Bank opens at 8 am in the morning to 5 in the afternoon everyday, no
weekends and holidays. Donors may ask forms from the secretaries in the reception and they need to fill
out all the needed information outside. The form contains personal information and below it are
questions that needs to be answered with a YES/NO answer only. On the next page is the Donor’s
Consent form for Drug Testing, wherein another set of questions are to filled out and at the end, donors
need to affix their signature which signifies that they are willing to undergo drug testing. After
everything is filled out, donors are asked to wait for their turn to be called while the receptionist
forward the forms to us and we immediately number them and log it into the logbook. We call them
accordingly by number and allow them to get in for Vital Statistics. Vital Stats, is the first parameter prior
to blood donation process. It consists of BP taking, Pulse Rate and Weight. A donor must atleast weigh
110 kls., should have a systolic of 140-160, a diastolic of >90, and a pulse rate of not more or less than
100 to pass. If he/she is within the normal ranges mentioned, he/she then proceeds with the interview,
wherein random questions are being asked and some questions in the form to confirm their answers.

Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as “deferred donors”. A prospective donor may
be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process.

Deferral of donors may vary from institutions since different set of standards are being followed. Female
Donors who are expecting or having their period during the event of blood donation process are
temporarily deferred from donating blood since PHC Policy suggests they can only donate week before
and week after their last day of menstruation. Surgical operation such as tooth extraction/ any
operation, whether a minor or a major surgery will only be allowed to donate 1 year after the said
operation. Male and Females with tattoos and piercings will only be allowed to donate a year after, but
if tattoos are more than a year already and it is greater than 2cm, permanent deferral is to be given to
the donor. A donor must not smoke nor drink any Alcoholic Beverages 24hrs prior to donation or else
he/she is being deffered temporarily and is asked to go back next time. At least 8 hours of sleep is also
required for a donor to qualify. If a donor qualifies then he/she can now proceed in the extraction area,
wherein a blood sample will be collected and tested for CBC, HCT, Hgb, Plt and Serologic Tests. After
he/she is being extracted, a urine cup is given to be filled with urine sample until the mark in the bottle.
Donors are restricted to urinate outside the Blood Bank Comfort Room since there is a CR situated inside
laboratory for donors only. This is to avoid discrepancies in the collection of urine sample. After the
collection, they return to the blood donation area and fill up another form to confirm that they are
willing to give their sample for drug testing. Releasing of results usually take 30mins to 1 hour depending
on the number of donors.