Patients who can relax during the procedure do not experience discomfort. Donations can not be made if you have the cold or flu. You can donate three days after the symptoms have subsided. Preoperative donations should me made no more than every three days, with the final phlebotomy occurring no later than 72 hours prior to surgery. A unit of blood is good for 42 days.
Autologous donors sign a release.
Medicare patients are also asked to sign a beneficiary agreement. A non-refundable fee will be charged for each unit of blood collected. Units that are not transfused remain at the hospital you have selected for surgery until they expire. The guidelines for autologous donation prohibit your units being used for other patients. Eat a meal before you donate blood.