How long platelets live

This process takes approximately 45 minutes. Once dispensed, any plasma shall be immediately transported directly to the RN or LIP requesting the component for transfusion.

Returns Same as pRBCs. Platelets Apheresis Platelets or Single Donor Platelets - Therapeutic dose collected from 1 donor via an automated apheresis procedure; is equivalent to 6 whole blood derived platelet units Pooled Platelets - Therapeutic dose from up to 6 whole blood donors pooled together; is equivalent a single apheresis platelet unit.

Handling Once dispensed, platelets shall be immediately transported directly to the RN or LIP requesting the component for transfusion. Must remain at room temperature. Never place inside a Blood Bank blood cooler for any reason.

The shelf life is 5 days from the date of collection. Treatment for thrombocytopenia involves treating the disease condition that is affecting platelet production or causing platelet destruction. Patients with thrombocytopenia may also receive platelet transfusions when the platelet count is dangerously low. Thrombocytosis, an increased platelet counts, is most often caused by a reaction to injury or inflammation.

A patient with a platelet count of less than 20, is at high risk for spontaneous bleeding. True False. Some donors experience chills as fluids are returned to you. There are blankets available to help keep warm. In addition, some donors may feel a slight tingling sensation. This is a mild response to the anticoagulant used when the blood is returned to your body and can be quickly alleviated with calcium.

How often can I donate platelets? Platelets may be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Imagine if every platelet donor gave at least 10 times a year and the impact it would have! How can I prepare for my platelet donation? You need an appointment to donate platelets.

Answer questions and handle most of the paperwork before you show up. Please bring your Red Cross donor card or photo I. Do not take aspirin products for at least 2 full calendar days prior to your appointment. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday. Plan to be in the donation chair for about three hours to ensure a full donation. Get a good night's rest prior to your donation. You should consume plenty of calcium-rich foods and beverages for a few days prior to your donation.

You may donate platelets every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Read more about eligibility requirements including travel and medication restrictions. Who is eligible to donate platelets? At age depending on state, individuals in generally good health who meet weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate platelets. Please review our eligibility requirements as some states require parental consent. You can also find more information about travel and medication restrictions.

When donating, bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of ID. Eligibility requirements for platelet donation are the same as a whole blood donation. As long as you meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood you may be able to donate platelets. Recently, it has been discovered that women who have previously been pregnant are more likely to carry antibodies that are believed to sometimes cause post-transfusion complications for blood and platelet recipients.

Until these complications are better understood, the Red Cross will ask new female platelet donors about their pregnancy history and test those that have been pregnant for these antibodies. Medical treatment can only be given with your consent. You may decide not to have a platelet transfusion.

It is important to tell your doctor or nurse if you decide not to have treatment. They will record your decision in your medical notes. You do not have to give a reason, but it can be helpful to tell the staff your concerns, so they can give you the best advice.

If this affects you, talk to your doctor about other treatments or ways to manage a low platelet count. Platelets come from people who donate their blood. In most cases, platelets do not need to be matched to your blood group in the same way as a blood transfusion.

The platelets for transfusion are yellow-coloured and stored in small plastic bags. Platelets are given by a drip infusion into one of your veins. A nurse will put a short, thin tube cannula into a vein in your arm or hand.

This is then connected to a drip. If you have a central line or PICC line , your nurse can connect this to your drip instead. The transfusion usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You may have it in an outpatient clinic, in a day unit, or as an inpatient.

The transfusion increases the number of platelets in your blood straight away. But sometimes the benefits do not last long, and you may need more transfusions. During the transfusion, your nurse will regularly check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. This is to make sure you are not having a reaction to the platelets. The nurses will check you for any reactions. They will stop the transfusion and quickly treat any symptoms. Tell your nurse straight away if you feel unwell during your transfusion.

Rarely, if you have had lots of platelet transfusions, your platelet count may not improve after a transfusion.

This is called becoming refractory or resistant to platelets. If this happens, you will have tests to find the cause.