Sometimes, a person undergoing surgery will require a blood transfusion. Ask Your Doctor If you are thinking about donating your blood for an upcoming surgery, ask your doctor if it is right for you. Your doctor can determine if your health allows you to safely donate blood and if the type of surgery planned will likely require transfusion. An autologous blood transfusion is considered the safest kind of transfusion because it uses your own blood. Once you and your doctor select a date for your surgery, your doctor must complete a request form for autologous blood donation.
Weekly appointments are preferable for donation.
Your appointments must be a least three days apart and each donation will require a separate appointment. All autologous blood donations must be completed at least three days prior to your surgery. Your Donation Autologous blood units collected at Strong Memorial Hospital are used for transfusion at Strong Memorial and at Highland Hospital. If you are having surgery at other area hospitals, you need to contact the American Red Cross or that hospital's transfusion facility. At your donation appointment a brief history is taken and a drop of blood is analyzed for hemoglobin content.