The Department of Transfusion Medicine is equipped with high end systems to collect and process blood for preparation of components, storage of blood and blood products and for apheresis procedures. The department became operational on 5th May 2009 carrying out 100% component preparation from day one. 

Latest techniques are used for immuno-hematological testing, for blood compatibility and for diagnosis. The department is committed to ensure availability of safe blood. We provide best quality blood and components, prepared from non-remunerated voluntary donors, screened by appropriate methods and stored and transported at right temperature.   We also maintain a quality system which is compliant of all existing statutory provisions of the Drugs and cosmetic act 1940 and amendments, other directives from Drug Controller General of India, National Blood Policy, NACO guidelines on HIV screening and NABH guidelines. Blood is carefully screened for transfusion transmitted infections (HBsAg, HCV, HIV I& II- using CMIA technology along with RPR and malarial antigen testing) . Stringent quality control practices include testing of a defined number of units of each product for the appropriate parameters. The facility is licensed by Drug controller General India. 

The department has adopted Leukoreduction technology (Opti) to provide Leukoreduced Red Cells.

Red cell grouping, antibody screening, antihuman globulin test & cross match are being done routinely using latest technique of gel technology. We have facility for advanced tests (Identification of antigen, antibody & rare blood groups)

The Department provides round the clock service including platelet apheresis and peripheral stem cell harvesting.

Health benefits of donating blood

Reduces chances of heart attack
It has been observed that increase in blood iron level increases the chance of heart disease. Iron is involved in the oxidation of cholesterol and this process is believed to be detrimental for the arteries. Increases blood iron level favors this process of cholesterol oxidation and thus leads to heart disease. Regular blood donation helps in loosing iron on regular basis. It helps in reducing the chance of heart attack to one third.
 
Enhance the production of new Red Blood cells 
As the blood is withdrawn from the donors body there is decrease in blood cells. To replenish it, immediately new cells are produced by marrow and this way blood gets refreshed. Therefore donating blood helps in stimulating generation of new blood cells.
 
Apart from all these benefits a donor gets a mini blood test done before donating blood. This includes Hematocrit i.e. Hb level test, Blood pressure is measured, body weight is checked. After this blood is collected it tested for 5 major diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and malaria. Donor is informed if any of these test found to be positive.

Specialized services

Blood components
Thanks to advances in medical technology, blood can be separated into its different components. Hence, one unit is used to prepare red blood cells, platelet concentrate and plasma each of which can be given to three different patients and therefore one unit of blood when separated into component can save 3 lives.
 
What is blood component therapy?
Blood component therapy is also called blood transfusion. Blood moves through our bodies bringing oxygen and food to the cells and carrying away waste. Whole blood is made up of a number of components including a liquid portion (plasma) and different types of cells. If a person lose a lot of blood or if some blood cells are damaged or there are not enough of them, he may need blood component therapy. This means that blood components are required to be transfused into the patient’s bloodstream. In most transfusions, it is not whole blood but a blood component that is given.

Blood components include the following:

Red blood cells which are the carriers of haemoglobin, needed to transport oxygen around the body. They are usually given if haemoglobin levels are low (anemia) or if a lot of blood is lost.

Platelets are pieces of cells that help stop bleeding by sticking together to form a plug. Some people have low numbers of   platelets. This may be by disease, certain medications or treatment. Platelets are given to prevent or control bleeding in these people.

Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate contain clotting factors which work with platelets to seal wounds. If any of the clotting factors are not present in the blood, bleeding can occur very easily and is difficult to control. These products are transfused to replace the missing clotting factors if specific   concentrates are not available.

Why Blood component therapy is better?

Various reason as quoted by WHO are:-

• The recipient can be treated with only those blood components that are lacking, reducing the occurrence of adverse transfusion reactions;
• More than one patient can be treated with blood components derived from one donation;
• Therapeutic support for patients with special transfusion requirements can be provided, for example, plasma that often is not directly needed for transfusion can be used manufacturing of Factor VIII concentrate for Haemophilia A patients;
• Improved quality and functional capacity of each component when varied storage conditions and shelf lives were applied.
• It has also been observed that infants treated with reconstituted blood (mixture of separated blood components) instead of whole blood recover faster. See
• http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Reconstituted-Blood-Better-For-Young-Hearts-3005-1/
   

Phone:  011-3065-3095/ 3926

Blood Bank: 24 hours open

Routine blood donation timing: Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm
 
Apheresis procedure timing:  Monday to Saturday 8 am to 7 pm  

Emergency Procedures timing: 24 hours