Also called designated donations. We usually receive directed units of RBCs in most cases. The exception is for Drs. Nikaidoh and Leonard, pediatric cardiac surgeons who get directed FFP and whole blood by previous arrangement.
The proper paperwork must be received by BloodCare prior to the first donation. The paperwork can be faxed from the doctor's office if necessary. The units should be donated no more than 35 days prior to the scheduled surgery and no less than 5 days prior to surgery. Donations 2 to 5 days prior to surgery may be ready for use, but we cannot guarantee their availability.
A directed donation form must be completed and received by the BloodCare prior to the first donation. This form can be carried directly to BloodCare with the first donor, but an appointment should have been made in advance. The paperwork must be signed by both the patient's physician and the patient or their legal guardian. Only one form is necessary for the entire directed donation process (one form per patient, not one form per donor). If the patient goes home and is re-admitted for a second surgical procedure, a new form must be filled out.
The patient's account is charged $65 for every component prepared from blood collected from a directed donor. This fee is nonrefundable in the event that the blood is not used.
If the blood is not used within 5 days of the scheduled transfusion (usually surgery), the blood is placed in the regular inventory and will be used for other patients. Directed donor blood will not be frozen. You may be asked to save this blood longer for the intended recipient. We can do this if it seems reasonable, but we don't want the unit to outdate and be wasted.
Donors will not have their blood typed at PMH prior to directed donation. We do not have the resources to offer this service. You may refer donors to Bloodcare for typing, although they will be charged a fee for this procedure. We recommend getting several (extra) persons to donate when the donor or patient's blood types are unknown to ensure that at least some compatible units are available. Similarly, more donors should give than the anticipated need because of the risk that some units will test positive for infectious disease markers.
If some donor units are unsuitable for use because of positive tests, the patient's physician is notified that one or more of the expected units cannot be used, but is not told which donors are involved or why. BloodCare will communicate the necessary information to the donor(s) testing positive. There is no need for the patient, their family, or the patient's physician to know this information. Do not give out this information over the phone to anyone!!!
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