Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank

Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital has an NABH accredited Blood Bank located at the basement floor of the hospital, that provides round the clock blood services with the help of a dedicated team of FDA approved Doctors, Nurses, technologists and counsellors. The blood bank is licensed by the Food & Drug administration (FDA) for the preparation and issue of blood components including components prepared using the Cell Separator (Apheresis). The blood centre is a member of the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) and the Federation of Bombay Blood Banks (FBBB).

The Transfusion Medicine Department includes :

• Blood Donation Centre: The department has a blood and blood component (Apheresis) donation centre which collects blood from 100% voluntary non-remunerated donors. The centre also provides pre and post donation counselling services with the help of trained counsellors. The blood donation service is available from 9.00am to 6.00pm on all weekdays.

• Immunohematology Lab: is a reference testing laboratory and performs specialized immunohematology tests. Fully automated systems such as the Autovue is used to perform ABO & Rh blood grouping, Cross matching, Screening & Identification of antibodies, Phenotyping and other tests to resolve red cell discrepancies. This technology has helped to reduce turnaround time of blood issue significantly. The team of trained doctors and technologists provide fast, reliable and accurate results to save patient lives.

• Component Lab: The donated blood is separated into its various components in a well equipped lab using a closed system of separation with advanced technology and automation. The lab is also equipped to provide leucoreduced blood and components for additional safety of patients. This ensures a regular supply of safe blood components to meet various patient requirements.

• TTI Testing Lab: The lab for transfusion transmitted infectious disease testing of donated blood, is equipped with fully automated and sensitive analyzers  that screen blood for antibodies to HIV1 & 2 , Hepatitis B core,  Hepatitis C virus and Hepatitis B surface antigen. Additional tests are performed to screen blood for Syphilis & Malarial parasite using high quality and sensitive reagents.

• Component Storage Lab: The lab is well equipped with Freezers and Refrigerators that are capable of storing blood and its components at ideal temperatures. Each equipment is attached to a wireless central monitoring system that monitors the storage temperature 24x7 and thus ensures the quality and reliability of components stored.

The department functions round the clock to ensure the quality and safety of blood and blood products to all patients.

Blood Donation Can Save Lives...

Blood is a ‘gift of life’ that a healthy individual can safely give to those in need

• Blood cannot be manufactured
• Only human blood can be used for transfusion to human beings
• Blood donation requires only 30 minutes of your time
• Your body contains 5 litres of blood, of which you donate only 350-450ml
• Your blood volume gets replenished within 24 - 48 hours
• By donating one unit of blood you can save not just one but 3 lives
• Blood transfusions are frequently required for patients with various conditions like thalassemia, haemophilia, leukaemia, malignancies, organ transplant patients, accident victims, major surgeries, premature babies and many more.

Contact Us
For Blood requirements or Queries :
You may contact us at our direct numbers :  022-25763355 / 3356 /3357
Email contact bloodbank@hiranandanihospital.org

To Organize a Blood Donation Drive :
To organize a blood donation drive or for more information you may contact the Blood Bank In-charge or the Medical Social Worker at our direct numbers : 022-25763355 /3356 /3357
Email at  bloodbank@hiranandanihospital.org

Blood Products

• Whole Blood
• Red Blood Cell Concentrate
• Random Donor Platelets ( RDP)
• Single Donor Platelets (SDP)
• Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
• Leuco depleted Red Blood cells
• Cryoprecipitate
• Cryo poor plasma(CPP)
• Single donor Plasma

Blood Services (24x7)

• Irradiation of Blood / Platelets
• Leucoreduction of Blood / Platelets
• Saline washing of Packed red blood cells
• NAT Tested Blood (on request)
• Incompatible Cross match workup
• Antibody screening & Identification
• Autoantibody Identification & Adsorption
• Direct & Indirect  Antiglobulin test (Coombs test)
• Resolving Blood group discrepancies
• Confirmation of Weak D and Rh discrepancies
• ABO / Rh titer
• Platelet pheresis/ Plasmapheresis / Therapeutic Apheresis
• Therapeutic Phlebotomy
• Autologous Blood Collection
• Kleihauer- Betke test ( Acid Elution Test)

 Our Activities

• Blood Donor recruitment and Awareness drives
• Platelet Donor recruitment and Awareness drives
• Pre & Post Donation Counselling
• HIV counselling
• Workshops & Training Programs
• Reference Testing Centre for Immunohematology
• Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donor Registration Centre for MDRI
• Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection centre

• What is the process for Blood Donation?

  1st Step : Registration
  You will be provided with a Questionnaire to ensure that you are fit and your blood is safe for a patient. The information you provide us will be kept confidential. Please fill the form correctly and honestly.
  
  2nd Step : Counseling
  You will be asked certain questions regarding your health in strict confidence. If you don’t qualify as a donor, you will be explained why and given appropriate advice.
  
  3rd Step : Medical screening
  Your Hemoglobin will be checked by a finger prick method to ensure that you are not anemic. Your blood pressure will be checked prior to donation.
  
  4th Step : Blood Donation
  You will be made to lie down on a cot. The skin of the inner elbow area will be cleaned with antiseptics. An experienced phlebotomist will insert a sterile needle into your vein. The donation will take just 5-10 mins. After donation, you will be asked to lie down for another 5 mins. with the punctured arm folded at the elbow. A plaster will be applied at the punctured area.
  
  5th Step : Refreshment
  You will be served refreshments before leaving. A  Donor Benefit card & Certificate will be handed over to you.

• Why is voluntary blood donation encouraged?

  In the days of blood communicable infections, repeat voluntary donors who donate without any form of remuneration, are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate blood supply.

• Why is 3 months interval required between two donations ?

  Although the lost blood is replenished within 6 weeks, an additional 6 weeks is required for the safety of the donor.

• Can one contract HIV or Hepatitis by donating blood ?

  One cannot contract HIV or hepatitis by donating blood as only sterile items and disposables items are used during the donation process.

• How long can blood be preserved in blood bank ?

  Blood can be preserved for 35 days or 42 days depending on the type of blood bag used for storage.

• Does one feel weak after donating blood ?

  Blood donation does not have any adverse effects on the body and one can go back to work soon after donation.

• Why do blood banks avoid Directed donations from relatives ?

  Husband’s blood given to wife can lead to antibody formation causing problems to the foetus in future. Blood from any blood relative such as father, mother, children, siblings, (insert comma) can lead to serious medical complications such as GVHD. Additionally, close relations may not always disclose high risk history in front of other relatives.

• What Is a Platelet Apheresis Donation ?

  During a platelet donation, a small portion of your blood is drawn from your arm and passed through a cell-separating machine. The machine collects the platelets and safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you. After the donation you can resume your normal activities, avoiding lifting of heavy weights or strenuous exercise that day.

• Should You Be a Platelet Donor ?

  A single platelet donation can provide enough platelets for a full therapeutic dose for a patient in need. By contrast, random donor platelets take about five whole blood donations to produce a single therapeutic dose. Patients who need platelets are those undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant and have weakened immune systems. A platelet dose from a single donor reduces the patient’s exposure to multiple donors.