Publications: Predeposit Autologous Transfusion Program

Many patients are able to receive their own blood during and following elective surgery by participating in the Predeposit Autologous Transfusion Program. Depending upon the physician's request, the patient will store form one to five units of blood. The units are drawn, labeled and stored at Community Blood Services of Illinois and transported to the hospital prior to the patient's surgery date. The progress of each patient's participation in the predeposit program is directly monitored by the blood center's Associate Medical Director.

Due to extensive testing of all donated blood and strict screening of all volunteer blood donors, our nation's blood supply is safer than it has ever been.

Community Blood Services of Illinois currently accepts volunteer blood donors only after they have passed a rigorous screening process. After the donation, all blood is tested for markers of syphilis, hepatitis, HIV-l and HIV-2 (the viruses associated with AIDS), and HTLV-1 (a virus associated with adult T-cell Leukemia). The risk of developing a serious, life-threatening infection through blood transfusion is very low.

The most frequent infection that may occur as a result of blood transfusion is hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. Approximately one person in 2,000 who receives volunteer donor blood develops severe chronic hepatitis. Although each volunteer blood donation is screened for hepatitis by studying the health history of the donor and testing the donation, there remains a small chance that an unidentified and undetectable hepatitis virus could be passed in a transfusion.

Of greater concern to the public is infection with HIV. All blood is tested for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies prior to being transfused, and the risk of HIV infection from the current volunteer blood supply is extremely low-estimated by the Centers for Disease Control in January of 1995 to be less than on in 420,000.

Despite extensive testing, red cells from a blood transfusion may be incompatible with those of the patient and may not survive after the transfusion. Other possible reactions to volunteer donor blood include fever or allergic reactions.

Participating in the Predeposit Autologous Transfusion Program can eliminate even the small infection and immune risks associated with volunteer donor blood transfusion.

There are several limitations of autologous transfusion. First, not all patients are candidates for predeposit autologous transfusion. Your surgeon and/or your primary care physician, in consultation with Community Blood Services of Illinois can determine your eligibility. Second, an adequate time period must be available to collect the specific number of units. Finally, the amount of your blood stored prior to surgery may not be adequate to replace unexpected blood loss. Volunteer donor blood support may be required; however, by reducing exposure to volunteer donor blood, the risk of complications is also lessened.

If you do not meet the above criteria, you may still participate if requested by your surgeon, and your health history passes a review by the blood center's Associate Medical Director. An additional medical evaluation by your primary physician may be required to assure that the blood collection process does not pose a threat to your health.

NOTE: If your body weight is less than 110 pounds, the blood center must be notified in advance to make appropriate adjustments in the amount of blood withdrawn at each appointment.

To enroll in the Predeposit Autologous Transfusion Program, your first step is to discuss the matter with your surgeon. He or she should be able to estimate the amount of blood that will be necessary for your surgical procedure. The blood center will supply your surgeon with the needed authorization forms and a detailed description of the collection process. He or she should complete and sign these forms and then place an intake information call to the Special Collections Coordinator at Community Blood Services of Illinois.

Next, the Special Collections Coordinator will call you to obtain additional health history information. During your phone conversation, the collection process will be explained and a collection schedule will be arranged. Ideally, one unit is drawn per week until your surgeon's request is filled. Usually no more than five units are requested, and there is a two week interval between your last donation and your surgery.

As soon as you and your surgeon decide to participate in the program, he or she will probably prescribe an oral iron supplement. This supplement to your diet is very important. Each unit of donated blood removes 250 milligrams of iron. lt takes at least 25-30 days to replace that iron from a normal diet. Therefore, it is extremely important for a person participating in this program to have an additional source of iron.

It is important that you drink plenty of fluids on the day of collection. You need to drink at least two to three extra glasses of fluids before you arrive for your appointment. Food is also important. You need to eat a low fat meal approximately two to three hours before your appointment.

If your health status changes in any way while participating in this program, the Special Collections Coordinator at Community Blood Services of Illinois must be notified to evaluate your symptoms and determine your continuing eligibility.

Once you are participating in the program, Community Blood Services of Illinois will notify your hospital and make arrangements for your blood to be at the hospital prior to your surgery. You should confirm that the health care professionals taking care of you in the hospital are aware that the autologous blood is available and is to be used as necessary.

The blood center charges a fee for each unit of autologous blood. The fee covers costs of coordinating, collecting, testing, storing and delivering your blood to the hospital transfusion service. Autologous blood fees are a covered expense under most health insurance programs.

If you have further questions about the Predeposit Autologous Transfusion Program, please contact Community Blood Services of Illinois Special Collections Coordinator at 217-367-2202 or 800-217-GIVE (4483).