If you’ve given blood before, you know that you’ve just given a life-saving resource to people in need. However, there is a lot that happens between a donation and the time of the transfusion. At the time of your donation, the phlebotomist draws several tubes of blood before collecting the actual transfusion product. When your donation is completed, the blood in the tubes is what the laboratory uses later, for testing the blood. Once at the laboratory, the blood undergoes numerous tests to determine if it is safe for transfusion before it can be utilized by a community hospital partner for patients.
ABO Blood Grouping
This test establishes your blood type and helps to determine what blood types you can receive, if needed, in the future; and most immediately, which patients can receive your blood.
Rh Typing
Similar to ABO testing, the Rh test indicates whether your blood type is positive or negative; further narrowing the options of patients who can safely receive your donation.
Red Cell Antibody Screen
This screening looks for unexpected antibodies on the red cells that could be caused from past transfusions, pregnancy, and other factors. Knowing which antibodies are present contributes to the decision-making about matching blood for patients.
Infectious Disease Testing
The primary diseases for which the blood is tested every time you donate are:
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV – the virus that causes AIDS
- HTLV types I and II (viruses linked to a form of leukemia and inflammation of the spinal cord)
- West Nile virus – transmitted through mosquito bites
- Syphilis – a sexually transmitted disease
- Each donor is tested one time for Chagas disease which is transmitted through a bug that is referred to as “the kissing bug.”
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is not a mandatory or regulated screening or test. Rather, Carter BloodCare offers this to its donors as a way to stay on top of health and cardiovascular risks.
How often are new tests added?
In order to keep each patient safe, the blood industry and multiple regulatory agencies are constantly looking at new health risks and disease that could affect the safety of the blood collected for transfusion. If the need arises to add another test, it is incorporated after much consideration by the regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What happens if someone tests positive?
Depending on the type of positive test result, a donor may be temporarily or indefinitely deferred. Units with positive infectious disease markers are discarded. A donor will be notified of any significant abnormal test results. At that time, we are able to help the donor understand the test result and subsequent deferral, if any. All test results are confidential on a strict, need-to-know basis, including the required notification to the health department of certain positive test results.
If you have questions about testing, please call Donor Notification at 1-888-480-8200 or check out our FAQs.
Glad to know what tests are being performed; probably need to add zika soon to the battery of tests!
Hi David, you were right! We began testing donor’s blood for Zika in September, and, to date, there are no confirmed positive test results.
If I’m taking pain meds for a fall that I had, can I still donate?
Hi Brock! Most medications are acceptable for donation, but please visit our Eligibility page for a list of ones that will not permit you to donate.
Do you test psa when giving blood
Hi Monty, please call our Donor Notification Department at 817-412-5830 if you have questions on the screening. Thanks!
im glad they do a full check up in the blood before its using in a transfucion
Absolutely! We always ensure all donated blood is safe for transfusion before it’s utilized by our hospital partners for patients in need.
I need a clarification that if we want to donate the blood to a person they will check our blood and they will confirm whether the person can donate the blood or not my doubt is in this blood test they will test the HIV TEST I need this clarification y Iam asking means I’m getting married in 6 months I don’t want to cheat a woman without testing HIV TEST if they test in this blood test
The tests we run on the blood does test for HIV. You cannot donate blood if you are HIV positive.
Is it true that I can’t donate because I lived in England from 2000-2002?
You can check eligibility here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/eligibility/
Do you also test for herpes.
That is not part of our screening process.
How far back does contacting the donor go if Hep C is present? My mom gave blood back in 2003, but was recently diagnosed with Hep C. Just trying to figure out some sort of timeline on when she contracted it.
We do test for Hep C. You can find a list of the tests we run on all donations here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/you-can-help/donor-guideline-faqs/
Are the donors received of their testing blood results after donation
Brian – I’m not sure what you’re asking. Can you please clarify?
Thanks for the great information! Blood is perhaps the most important window through which we can peer into a person’s health or illness.
That’s a unique way of saying it! Quite true.
I donated 3 times before my test results came back how is that? My results came back positive for hep C why did they let me donate 3 times
Were your previous donations with Carter BloodCare? We test for Hep C every time we accept a donation.
R
I was turned away from giving blood 15 yrs ago due to a false positive screening. Since then have been tested to make sure it was definitely a false positive. Can I try to give blood again now?
You can check your eligibility here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/eligibility/
If your question isn’t answered, there’s a number at the bottom you can call.
Hi! If tested positive for pregnancy, will I be notified?
We do not test for pregnancy.
Hi.. I recently gave blood as well as years ago and both times my ONeg donations were rejected by the screening despite ticking all the boxes for donations. I’m healthy,not on meďs, non smoker, no alcohol, no past illnesses, 1 partner since always…i just don’t understand.. No health issues have been detected in bloods..no infections.. it just wouldn’t pass the screening tests once again. I’m so disappointed and worried… could u explain why this can happen?!
We can’t access your records here, but you’re welcome to call a Donor Advocate to discuss. 877-351-3600
If I’ve donated blood before and got called again to donate blood does that mean that my blood was good and that I don’t have HIV?
Please call the number on the post-donation card to inquire about test results. Thanks for giving!
You stated that you often check for STDS. How quickly does it take for STDS to show up if you donate 2xs a week.
Briitney – We always do an STD check, but we don’t have any donations that can be done twice a week. Please consult a physician about a potential contraction.
How can I find out my blood type if I’ve donated more than 3 years ago and also am living outside of the country?
You can call us at 800-366-2834 or sign in to find out your type if you donated with us.
https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/auth/signin