In this article:
- What is a blood bank?
- Blood products
- When is blood transfusion required?
- Blood banks in Enugu state, Nigeria
- How blood is donated and preserved in the blood bank
What is a blood bank?
Blood bank is a specialized store of blood and blood products donated by eligible donors from which people who need blood and blood products transfusion can source them.
Blood primarily constitutes of blood cells (red cells, platelets, and white cells) and plasma (water and other diluted essential substances). Blood cells constitute about 45% of blood volume while the plasma part make up 55%. It is estimated that a typical man has at least 5-6 liters of blood which is equivalent to 12 pints of blood (one pint is equivalent to 450ml) , and a woman has about 4-5 liters of blood which is about 9 pints of blood.
A complete blood count (CBC) shows a number of parameters that represent the status of blood components. A change in these parameters will determine if a patient needs a blood transfusion and whether whole blood or blood products will be transfused. Amongst these parameters, packed cell volume (PCV) determines the ratio of blood cells to plasma in the blood, hemoglobin level determines the amount of oxygen carrying molecules in the blood, while platelet count determines the number of platelets (clot forming cells). Whole blood transfusion is often determined by the level of packed cell volume and hemoglobin level.
- A man has a normal PCV of 44-54% and hemoglobin of 13-18mg/dl.
- A woman has a normal PCV of 36-46% and hemoglobin of 12-15mg/dl.
- Children 2-5 years have PCV of 34-40% and hemoglobin of 11-14mg/dl.
- Children 6-12 years have PCV of 35-45% and hemoglobin of 11.5-15.5mg/dl
- Newborn infants have PCV of 44-54% and hemoglobin of 13.5-19.5mg/dl.
Blood products
Blood can be given as a whole or separated into distinct blood products and given according to the particular needs of the patient. Each unit of donated blood can be separated into various components: red cells, plasma, platelet, leucocytes, and cryoprecipitate. These are separated and stored under various temperature conditions.
When is blood transfusion required?
The need for blood transfusion is often determined by the attending physician after assessing he complete blood count (CBC). Here are some of the usually conditions for blood transfusion requests.
- Severe hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Low blood packed cell volume of less than 20%.
- When booked for surgery (if needed).
- As supportive treatment for cases of blood diseases such as sickle cell disease, leukemia etc.
- Blood components can also be given separately:
- Red blood cells is given to those with anemia, severe bleeding, blood diseases, persons undergoing surgery, etc.
- Plasma is given to those that are are loosing water such as burn and trauma patients.
- Platelet is given to those with low blood platelet, for certain cancer treatment, etc.
- Cryoprecipitate Antihemophilic Factor (AHF) which contains clotting factors that help to control bleeding is given to those with clotting disorders.
- Granulocytes which is a type of white blood cells is given to individuals who have antibody resistant infections.
- Leucocyte reduced blood which is blood with less white blood cells is given when there is a need to reduce the level of immune reaction that can be elicited from a whole blood transfusion.
Safe and quality blood and blood products have saved million of lives. Blood is majorly sourced through heterogenous blood donation which is when blood is donated by a different person with compatible blood type. Individuals can donate blood to themselves. For example, individuals going into surgery can preserve their blood incase transfusion is required. This is called autologous transfusion. A unit of blood for adults contains 450 ml of blood while a pediatric bag contains 250 ml.
Blood banks in Enugu state Nigeria
- Cynsoki Medical Laboratory
- Location: 92 Amurri road, Federal Housing, Enugu. The closest landmark is Nowas Filling station Federal Housing, Enugu
- Contact Phone number: +2348033705746
- They offer 24 hours service.
- Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (Parklane)
- Location: No 1 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu. The closest landmark is Shoprite shopping mall GRA, Enugu.
- They offer 24 hours service.
You may also like: 4 questions to ask before taking blood from a blood bank
How blood is donated and preserved in the blood bank
Blood is recommended to be donated by eligible voluntary donors. Eligibility factors include:
- Blood donor should be between 17-65 years.
- Donor must be healthy and feeling well.
- Donor must be free of any infectious disease such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria, etc.
- Donor must have a hemoglobin level of 13mg/dl if male and 12mg/dl if female.
- Donor must not have donated blood in the past 2 months.
- Donor must have normal blood pressure, temperature and pulse values.
Donated blood and blood products are stored as follows: Whole blood is stored at 2-6 °C for 21 to 35 days. Red blood cells is stored at 2-6 °C for 42 days. Plasma is stored frozen at below -18°C for up to 1 year. Cryoprecipitate is stored frozen at below -18°C for up to 1 year. Platelets is stored at room temperature (21-24°C) for 5 days with constant shaking. Granulocytes is stored at room temperature (21-24°C) and used within 24 hours of donation.
Browse our directory to find facilities that offer other specialty healthcare services.
This post will be updated periodically with new information on blood banks in Enugu state, Nigeria.
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