Donor room is equipped with hi-tech automated blood collection monitors. Donor friendly couches and the overall ambience along with the motivational posters in the background are set well to keep up the spirit of the donor. The donor goes through pre-donation counseling by cordial staff who also attends them well in the medical examination room and the actual donation room. Light refreshments are also provided to the donors post the donation during the resting time.
Blood is generally collected from the donor's vein and machines in the apheresis laboratory are used to actually separate red cells platelets and plasma in layers. Only the layer of desired component is separated in a pouch. Rest of the blood returns back to the donor, through the same vein.We have 2 cell separators, one each of the brand Fresenius Kabi (Amicus) and of Terumo Penpol (Trima Accel), both of international standard.
Endowed with 2 hi-tech automated blood grouping machines of Neo Iris (Immucor) and Automax (Tulip), this lab functions for supporting blood grouping of donors and patients. These machines help derive accuracy and speed in results. Cross matching of patient's sample and donor sample is also done in same lab. This is standard procedure for patient safety.
NAT is known globally as the most advanced technique for screening donor's blood for diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Though this is not yet a mandatory test in Indian blood banks, DBBC has made its mark in NAT testing of blood since 2013. We consider it our topmost priority to ensure that the blood that we issue is safe for the patients. Owing to the same commitment we became the pioneers in implementing NAT testing in western Maharashtra. We do MP NAT by COBAS Roche which is an internationally recognized NAT testing platform.
An additional layer of safety is needed for some patients like those with compromised immunity, neonates, cancer and transplant patients or during transfusion to the fetus in mother’s womb. This layer of safety is of irradiating the blood is achieved by passing the blood bags through a radioactive field so that this exposure de activates the harmful white cells from blood bag. Manufactured by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai and governed by Atomic Energy Regulation Board (AERB), the blood irradiator (named as BI 2000) is installed in our Blood Centre and we support needy patients with this facility under charity too.