How the Automated Blood Donation Procedure Works

Being made aware of the automated blood donation procedure may ease some of the anxiety you might have around donating. The procedure is relatively simple and typically takes up to two hours, depending on your height and weight. You may watch television, listen to music or just sit back and relax during your donation.

First, blood is drawn from your arm through sterile tubing into a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood to separate the components. A port is opened along the spinning tubing at the level containing either the platelets or plasma to be donated. These platelets or plasma are drawn up into a collection bag, while the remaining blood components (red blood cells and plasma or platelets) are returned to you through the same arm.