Blood Flow
Ever wonder what happens to your blood once it is collected? When you arrive at the donation site, a process begins to ensure the blood you donate is properly collected, processed, tested, and used according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, AABB standards, and Department of Defense policies.
Once your blood is drawn, it is separated into two major components, red cells and plasma. The red cells are stored in special refrigerators for as long as 42 days.
If processed within six hours of the donation time, the plasma can be frozen and stored for as long as one year. Platelet donations must be stored at room temperature and are good for only five days.
After your blood is drawn, it is returned to the donor center and tested. Tests performed are dictated by the FDA and Armed Services Blood Program Office (ASBPO). Some of the tests performed on donated blood include:
- Blood Type
- Syphilis
- HTLV – I/II
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV – 1/2
- West Nile Virus
Once the blood is collected, processed, and tested, it is ready for use by the military hospitals we supply. Each unit is carefully reviewed to ensure that all procedures were followed prior to labeling and shipping. The blood collected is also shipped to processing facilities which ship the blood to various countries around the world in support of military operations overseas. Weekly shipments and locations are determined by the ASBPO and vary depending on worldwide military deployments.