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Directed Donations
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| What Is A Directed Donation? |
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A directed donation is a blood donation made for you by
a donor chosen by you or your family. The Oklahoma Blood Institute will
then process and tag the directed blood donation for your surgery. (The
order for directed donations must be initiated by the physician ordering
the patient's transfusion.)
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| Who Can Be A Directed Donor? |
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Anyone who is 17 years of age or older, weighs at least
105 pounds and meets regular donor health requirements may be a directed
donor.
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| Are The Same Tests Done On A Directed Unit Of Blood As On A Regular
Blood Donation? |
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Yes, OBI performs all standard tests on every unit of
blood to assure the safety of your blood transfusion.
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| Are Directed Donations Safer? |
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No, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that directed
donations are safer than voluntary donations. Blood and blood components
may transmit certain diseases, such as viral hepatitis, and directed
donations cannot eliminate this risk.
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| How Long Does It Take A Directed Donation To Reach The
Hospital? |
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Directed blood donations made during regular Oklahoma
Blood Institute center hours are usually processed within 72 hours. However,
certain situations may necessitate a longer period.
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| Can A Directed Unit Of Blood Be Available Sooner Than 72 Hours? |
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Directed donor units are tested with the same standard
tests as regular volunteer donated products. In order to complete testing
which helps assure the safety of your blood, directed donor units will
be available in 72 hours.
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| How Much Does It Cost For A Directed Donation? |
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OBI will bill your hospital a routine processing fee for each directed
donation. If blood is donated by a blood relative, OBI charges an additional
fee to irradiate the unit. This must be done to prevent transfusion associated
Graft vs Host disease. This fee is charged to the patient's hospital
bill.
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| Will I Be Required To Have Testing Done Before Selecting My Donors? |
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Yes, you will be required to have a blood type and antibody
screen. The Oklahoma Blood Institute can handle this testing.
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| Do I Have To Fill Out Any Forms To Have A Directed Donation? |
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Yes, once your physician orders a directed donation, the Oklahoma
Blood Institute asks you to provide a list of potential donors. Potential
donors will need to meet donor criteria and have the correct blood type.
(OBI will handle this testing.) OBI also needs your name, address, phone
number, social security number, the hospital where your surgery is scheduled,
and the date the blood will be needed.
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| Does The Directed Donor Have To Complete Any Forms Before Donating? |
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Yes, the directed donor needs to complete the standard
donor registration form required for screening and processing the blood.
In addition, the Oklahoma Blood Institute asks that he/she complete a
donor authorization form giving the Oklahoma Blood Institute permission
to direct the blood to a specific patient.
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| What If I Don't Have Enough Directed Donors & Need More Blood? |
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If your blood usage exceeds the number of directed donations and there
is no time to draw and process additional units, blood from the Oklahoma
Blood Institute volunteer supply will be available.
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| What Should I Do If I Want To Have Directed Blood Donors? |
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Call the Donor Services Department at the Oklahoma Blood
Institute @ (405) 297-5566 or (405) 297-5597 and staff will assist you.
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