joe friday’s grrl asked:


I recently started donating blood plasma again after a two-year break, and things certainly have changed in the check-in and check-out procedures. Most of the changes make things a lot more convenient for both clients and staff, but I feel a little uneasy about the new check-in and check-out procedures at the center I go to. When I arrive, I have to put my finger on a small, digit-shaped electronic pad that captures the print for identification. I do the same upon leaving, in order to get paid. The problem is that dozens of people stick their fingers on these two pads all day long, and I have never once seen anyone clean them. The thought of where all these people’s fingers may have been… I know that everyone who donates has been screened for all types of diseases, but that doesn’t mean they’re not carrying common colds and viruses. And most of the donors are like me, short on cash, using city buses to get there. It just doesn’t seem sanitary to me. Do I have good cause for concern?

VALARIE

AK asked:


My local plasma center uses a small square gauze directly over the puncture site, which is secured in place by a stretchy, elastic banding that is wrapped around the arm in a criss-cross fashion. I assume that most plasma centers use a similar, or maybe identical, method.

One employee at my plasma center told me to keep my arm wrapped for 1 hour after donation. A different employee told me that it should be in place for 4 hours.

What is the correct recommended amount of time?

FELIX

danielle asked:


How long after you give blood/plasme until someone actually receives it- including testing the blood or plasma and all that.

GLEN

heelloooo there asked:


I am aware that the formed elements of blood are Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets. However I thought that this is only outside the blood plasma. My book says that when formed elements are removed from blood, blood plasma is left. So then doens’t this mean there aren’t any formed elements in blood plasma? Or is it the plasma proteins and/or other solutes that make up blood plasma?

ALFONSO

NellyP asked:


I can’t remember which one clots and which one doesn’t. I know plasma has heparin in it to keep it from clotting, but I’m confused!

NICHOLE

Tony R asked:


I donate blood regularly and I was wondering how different donating plasma is?
Are there any risks involved with it?
I could use the extra cash to fill up the gas tank.

SHELLEY

ambientenergy71 asked:


I am in college and I work out and lift weight 4-5 times a week. I was thinking about donating plasma to get some extra cash, but I don’t want to donate plasma if it will effect my lifting. How long does it take the body to replace the lost plasma? What are the short term effects? Since they put the red blood cells back into the person after they separate the plasma out, will it have any effect on physical activities?

STEFANIE