Understanding Plasma Donation

Donating plasma is safe. Plasmapheresis (pronounced “plaz-muh-fuh-REE-sis”), the process of donating plasma, has been used for decades. The supplies used in collecting the plasma are sterile and are used only once. This ensures that everything that comes in contact with your blood is safe.

Here are some of the key steps to donate your plasma:

1. Registration

You will need to show identification, provide contact information, and take a photo and fingerprint scan to be entered into the plasma collection center’s electronic system. A collection center staff member will check for your name in a national registry to make sure you are eligible to donate. All identification and medical information is strictly confidential.

2. Screening

All donors must pass a pre-donation screening at every visit and, if you have not donated plasma before, you will be interviewed about your medical history. Typical questions include medications, allergies, medical conditions, and surgeries. You will also receive a routine health exam. The goal of this screening is to make sure that the donation is safe for both you and the recipients of the final product.

3. Donation Area

If your eligibility has been confirmed, you will be led to the donation area. Here you rest on a recliner while connected to an automated machine, and carefully monitored by staff throughout the donation process. You are welcome to relax, read, or use free Wi-Fi to watch your favorite shows.

4. Plasma Collection

The safe and sterile process for donating plasma is similar to donating blood, except that plasma is separated and collected while red and white blood cells are returned to the body. This process is automatically repeated until a target amount of plasma has been collected.

Importantly, the supplies used in collecting the plasma are sterile and are used only once. This ensures the safety of everything that comes in contact with you and your plasma.

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