What happens to the blood you donate

To begin with, your blood donation will be examined in the laboratory for possible infections and illnesses. If there are any abnormal test results, you will receive a report from us and referred to your GP for further examination. In the next step, the donated blood is separated into its component parts: erythrocytes (red blood cells), plasma and thrombocytes (platelets). Which components a patient needs depends on their specific situation.

Blood products

Multiple blood products are prepared from a blood donation; these are used to meet a wide range of requirements in transfusion medicine.

• Red cell concentrates (erythrocytes, storage life: up to 49 days at 2–6 °C) are used after sudden losses of blood, during operations or in cases of anaemia.
• Thrombocyte concentrates (platelets, storage life: up to 7 days at 20–24 °C) are used for patients whose ability to produce platelets is impaired, for instance, leukaemia patients.
• Plasma, frozen (called freshly frozen plasma, FFP; storage life: max. 2 years at -30 °C) are used for high volume transfusions and for patients with autoimmune diseases.

These days, patients are given only the blood components that they actually need. The targeted use of blood transfusions in the hospitals is improved by what are known as patient blood management measures.