Patients & Visitors

Services: Blood Donations

Autologous (au-tol'-o-gous) blood transfusion allows you to donate your own blood several weeks before elective surgery for use during and after the surgery.

How it works

Your blood is collected before surgery, stored in the Blood Bank refrigerator and returned to you during or following surgery to replace your lost blood.

The Advantages

Autologous transfusion removes any danger of transmitting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, HIV and other viruses passed along by normal blood transfusions. The use of autologous blood leaves more of the community blood supply available for others.

How to donate blood for your surgery

If you need a blood transfusion in your upcoming surgery, your surgeon will write a prescription. Call the Holy Spirit Hospital Donor Center at 763-2194 for an appointment, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The day you donate, eat regular meals and take your medications. Do not fast. The Donor Center is located on the second floor to the right of the Radiology Department waiting room. Bring the Holy Spirit Hospital Request Form.

For Autologous Transfusion

If you have had any cardiac problems, such as heart attack, history of angina or any previous heart surgery, be sure to also bring a written certification by your internist or cardiologist.

How the blood donation may affect you

You may experience a mild anemia (low blood count) at first, but the donation of blood will stimulate your body to produce more red blood cells. Your doctor may recommend an iron supplement.

How often you can donate

If you pass the pre-screening tests, you may donate as often as every three to four days, up to three days before your surgery date. The doctor will order the appropriate number of autologous units for your surgery. Appointments are usually spaced one week apart. Your blood will be available for 42 days from each donation date.

Meeting your transfusion needs

In many cases, autologous blood will meet all your needs. Ask your doctor about the likelihood of needing additional blood or components.

Information about your blood type

When you donate, you may request that a donor card noting your blood type be sent to you.

Costs for autologous blood transfusion

Presently, no additional collection costs over and above the usual processing and administration fees are charged for this service. For more information, call your doctor or the Donor Center at 717-763-2194.

Iron supplementation to stimulate red cell production

To successfully complete a pre-operative autologous blood donation schedule, you may need to take iron supplements until your surgery to stimulate production of new red blood cells in the bone marrow. If only one unit is pre-deposited, supplemental iron generally is not necessary. If two or three units are collected, iron supplementation is recommended.

You can find iron supplements at your local pharmacy, without a prescription. Take the supplement up to the day before surgery, and then discontinue it unless your surgeon orders otherwise. Iron preparations are available as ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous gluconate. The tablet form is preferred. Timed- release and enteric-coated tablets are not recommended, nor are drops, elixir or syrup. Plain tablets are the best and least expensive way to take iron.