These are necessary to ensure as much as possible that it is safe for the donor to donate and for the blood to be transfused. It is the responsibility of the collecting facility to protect both the donor and the recipient. No history of hepatitis, heart disease, cancer, high risk activities, etc. Equipment comes as single-use, disposable items, so donors can NOT contract hepatitis or AIDS during blood donation. Symptoms may include transient low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting during or following the donation.
Symptoms usually resolve within minutes.
Post phlebotomy instructions recommend drinking more fluids than usual and avoiding immediate use of cigarettes or alcohol. The tubes of blood collected with the donor unit are used for testing in accordance with state and federal regulations. ABO AND Rh - Results are indicated in large letters on the label. When such antibodies are found, the plasma portion of the unit is not used for allogenic transfusion. Donors with clinically significant abnormal tests are notified of the results and asked not to donate again.