The process of donating plasma is quick and painless. The procedure takes less than an hour; if you have a scheduled appointment, it could take you only about an hour from the moment you enter and leave the premises.
However, Glassboro plasma donation can take longer if you are a first timer. The plasma donation process will be different for you compared to the more frequent donors. You will need to undergo screening, physical check-ups, and orientation before being allowed to donate.
Fortunately, everything will be easier and faster on your succeeding appointments. There will be minimal checks required then, and you can go through the steps more quickly because you’ll already know what to do.
So, what is the process of donating plasma? This article answers the question and provides valuable information for first-time donors.
The Plasma Donation Process
- Eligibility and Screening
The first in the donating plasma process is determining if you are eligible to be a donor. The clinic or donation facility will provide a list of their donors’ eligibility guidelines. Some facilities may have slight differences in requirements, but the general criteria for plasma donors (guidelines provided by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA) are as follows:
- 18-65 years old
- 110 lbs or heavier
- Good physical condition (no illness of any kind)
- Has a permanent address and lives within a 50-mile radius of the donation center
- No new tattoos or piercings in the last four months
- Has valid identification documents
To further verify your eligibility, you also have to fill out a health questionnaire where you must provide your medical history. A doctor on-site will go through this questionnaire with you to ensure your eligibility on the day.
- Schedule Your Appointment
If you meet all of the eligibility criteria above, you can go ahead and schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments are usually required for first-time donors because the staff must consider the screening time. Donating by appointment also allows the center to manage the comings and goings of donors more efficiently.
If you have further questions about documentary requirements or the Glassboro plasma donation process, now would be an excellent time to get answers from your donation center.
- Arrival and Check-in
On the day of your appointment, you must check in and present any additional documents required, like your social security number, government-issued ID, and proof of local residency. The staff will then direct you to the next room for a health assessment.
- Medical History Check
Some donation centers ask donors to fill out questionnaires beforehand to save time on the day they arrive. But if you didn’t receive a health questionnaire when you scheduled an appointment, you will likely receive one at this point.
Be as thorough and detailed in your answers as possible. The questionnaire might ask for recent vaccinations, medications, travel history, and lifestyle-related matters.
- Physical Examination
After reviewing your medical history, the attending physician will perform a quick physical check-up to ensure that you are in good physical condition at the moment. They will take a blood sample, take your vital stats, blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse rate. They will also check your veins if they are in good condition for donation. If everything is good, you can proceed to the next steps.
- Orientation
Donation centers give a short orientation to first-timers to give them more details about the donation plasma process and what they can expect during the procedure. Donors must know the safety SOPs, like how to call the staff if they feel queasy halfway through the procedure.
- Plasma Collection
Once all the screening procedures are done, you will be ushered into the donation room. You will be provided with a bed with an apheresis machine next to it.
The apheresis machine is a large piece of equipment that separates plasma from whole blood. A needle will be inserted in a vein at the crook of your elbow with a tube feeding your blood into the machine.
It has a centrifugal mechanism that separates the plasma from the whole blood. The machine collects the fresh plasma and returns the remaining components – red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets – to your bloodstream.
Once the apheresis machine starts, all you have to do is lie back and relax until it has finished collecting enough plasma. Staff will monitor your vitals to ensure you’re in good condition throughout the donation process.
They will also ask you to squeeze a stress ball, which is standard procedure in blood donation because it exercises the arm and prevents clotting.
- Post-Procedure Rest and Monitoring
After the apheresis machine has finished collecting plasma, the staff will unhook you and remove the needle from your arm. They will usher you to another room where you can rest for around 30 minutes and regain your strength in case you feel slightly dizzy or tired after the procedure.
This is an important step in the donation process because your body must recover and replenish the lost liquids. It’s best to rehydrate by this time and eat some snacks if you feel lightheaded. Donors may have a light, nutritious meal afterward to help their bodies recover faster.
- Receive Your Compensation
Credible and legitimate donation centers compensate donors. Here at ABO Plasma, we process payments within 24 hours after a donation has been completed.
After your first donation, you might consider becoming a regular donor and helping save more lives. Contact your chosen donation center right away to schedule your next appointment.
Donate and Help Save Lives
Donating plasma is a selfless act that helps people with medical conditions curable by plasma-derived medicines and treatments.
Source plasma (the term used for blood plasma collected from healthy donors) is used for manufacturing medicines for treating various diseases and medical conditions, like liver disease, immune deficiencies, clotting disorders, and burns. It is even used for treating some symptoms of cancer.
ABO Plasma will be happy to guide you through the process of becoming a plasma donor. We also offer compensation for every donation. Together, we can positively impact the lives of people struggling with life-threatening diseases.
Schedule an appointment with ABO Plasma today.