Well, its been a long time since my last blog. To continue with the platelet donation process also called platelet pheresis...
Please remember not all donors can give platelets. The donor suitability is checked for platelet count and other blood parameters, the suitability of vein for the donation and general health conditions. So, please dont feel disappointed if you are turned back from a donation temporarily. You may re-coup the parameters in normal course and try again after say a month. Now, consider you are found eligible also for platelet donation. Please ensure that you have at least 2 hours spare time for the completion of donation (approx). Unlike normal blood donation, platelet pheresis takes about 90-110 minutes for donation and 30 minute for prel checks.
If all goes well, no issue. But there may be a likely hood of machine malfunctioning. In that case, the worst that happens is the operator switches off the machine. collects whatever has been donated and thats the end of the story. Some times, they may try to restart the machine, ask to press vigorosly the ball in hand etc. which may not help the machine any end. so, that extra blood pumped out after the restart will go as hysteris waste. it s neither processed nor returned back to the donor. (this incidnentally happened to me during oct 25th 2010 platelet donation at MSR hospital, unfortunately, the technician was not competent to tell me about what had happened. And MSR hospital never bothered to reply to my e-mail query)
And dont be discouraged by such minor hiccups, because this has happened only first time in my 37 blood donations(platelets included) so far. Still, it is always good to know what to expect. If you have any doubt, ask the attending doctor to explain exactly what had happened.
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