BLOOD DONATION INFORMATION - Irish Blood Transfusion Service

BLOOD DONATION INFORMATION• Swelling that is large or increasing in size• Painful redness or inflammation.Bleeding from the needle siteIf this happens immediately aftergiving blood:• Lift your arm above your shoulder andpress on the needle site.• Sit down and ask for assistance fromour staff.You can avoid bleeding by pressingfirmly on the needle site after theneedle is taken out and by limitingthe use of your donation arm for 15minutes after giving blood. Be carefulwhen eating and drinking and whenputting on your coat after donating.Please leave the plaster in place for 24hours after donating.Fainting/feeling weak orlight-headedSome donors feel faint during or aftergiving blood. If you feel faint during orafter your donation please let one of ourstaff know immediately.If you feel faint after leaving the clinicyou should sit down straight away (onthe ground if necessary). Put your headbetween your knees for a few minutes.Lie down if you need to. Stay sitting orlying for around 30 minutes or until youfeel well again. Make sure that whenyou get up you do so slowly. If you stillfeel faint, lie down again.Have a cold non-alcoholic drink whenyou feel well enough to do so. If youlose consciousness (pass out) afterdonating contact us on the abovenumbers for further advice. Wegenerally advise that donors who loseconsciousness after they leave theblood donor clinic, do not donate again,in the interests of their own safety.Reducing the risk of faintingBefore giving blood we advise that you:• Eat something in the 3 hours beforeyou donate• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquidbefore attending the donor clinic• Drink a glass of water / juice at theclinic before you donate• If you have naturally low bloodpressure and feel faint when youstand up suddenly, please tell us• If you are very anxious, please let usknow, so that we can help you feel atease.After giving blood we advise that you:• Stay in our clinic for at least 15minutes after donating• Have some light refreshments in ourcanteen during this time• Do not smoke for at least an hour• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids• Do not have a hot bath on the dayyou donate• Avoid standing for long periodsespecially in poorly ventilated areas• Avoid strenuous exercise until thenext day• Avoid any activity that may present ahazard to you or others were you tobecome weak or light-headed.If you are involved in a hazardousoccupation or hobby such as operatingheavy machinery or mountaineering,you should defer the activity until thenext day or sometimes longer. Pleasecheck with us, so that we can adviseyou appropriately if this applies to you.Please read this information carefullyPAGE 4 OF 7 BT 353-2 Jan 2010