Health Talk With Baptist 07/23/20 - Blood Donation #3

Health Talk With Baptist 07/23/20 - Blood Donation #3

Each year, an estimated 6-point-8 million people in the u.s. donate blood// and right now, baptist memorial golden triangle says its on a low blood supply// we learn more about blood donation in tonights health talk// hi, i'm sandy kilburn, medical technologist and blood bank supervisor at baptist memorial hospital golden triangle.

I want to talk to you some more about blood donation.

Here at baptist golden triangle, we transfuse an average of 215 units of red blood cells every month to an average of 92 patients.

Recipients include cancer patients, sickle cell anemia patients, patients with other types of anemia, surgery and trauma patients and premature or sick newborns.

As you can see, the need is great and a reduction in donor turnout can put the blood supply of our nation, our state and our hospital at a critically low level.

Donating blood is a safe process.

A sterile needle is used only once and then discarded.

Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history/mini physical, donation and refreshments.

Every donor is given a mini physical checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.

The actual blood donation typically takes less than ten to twelve minutes.

The average adult has about ten pints of blood in his body.

Roughly one pint of blood is given during the donation.

A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every didty- six days or double red cells every one hundred twelve days.

All donated blood is tested for hiv, hepatitis b and c, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals.

Join us next time for health talk with baptist, where we'll talk more about donating blood.

Mail your topic suggestions to health talk at wcbi dot com.

Health talk has been brought to you by baptist memorial hospital golden triangle baptist will be having a blood drive this friday at the outpatient pavilion conference center from noon until 5// donors will be tested for covid-19 antibodies//