Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 20:33:48 GMT -5
On my way home from work, I often pass by a blood bank ("Canadian Blood Services", which is a not-for-profit organization that manages the blood supply in Canada). Recently I've noticed bus shelter ads in the vicinity of the blood bank are encouraging people to donate blood. The ad slogan is "Give Blood. Save a Life." I've only ever given blood once before. I was told there'd be a sharp prick and then mild discomfort (or maybe none at all) over the few minutes the blood was drawn, not unlike drawing blood for lab samples, which I've done dozens of times. The reality for me was a sharp prick and then feeling as though a giant needle was sticking out of my arm for a quarter of an hour. It hurt. People have since told me that the phlebotomist screwed up, I should have complained, it's not supposed to be that way, etc., etc., but seeing the bore of that needle (it's huge!), I have a really hard time believing it doesn't hurt even at the best of times. Also, perhaps what I was feeling was the so-called "mild discomfort" and I just have a low tolerance for pain. At any rate, once was enough for me. I was more than happy to let other Canadians pick up the slack. But noticing this ad today made me wonder: how true is their "save a life" slogan? My blood type is O+, which is the most common blood type. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't have any rare qualities to it. Since the CBS has had the "save a life" slogan for as long as I can remember (the Red Cross and other blood organizations have similar slogans) but I can't recall ever reading about Canadians dying en masse due to blood shortages, it's always seemed to me that the claim was/is the kind of absurd hyperbole one normally sees in advertisements. As in: if the blood bank was running six standard deviations below its average supply, and 20 passenger trains simultaneously derailed, and the Rogers Stadium suddenly exploded in a giant fiery ball of death, my blood might conceivably save somebody's life. On any other day it'd go into a reserve bin somewhere until it expired and was thrown out. But honestly I have no clue. Today I was questioning the wisdom of not giving blood. Firstly, because if there truly is some non-negligible chance that my blood could save a life, "the needle hurts" is a lousy excuse not to donate. Secondly, it wasn't lost on me that if we apply the categorical imperative--that is, if everybody felt like me and didn't donate blood--people literally would be dying by the dozens on the operating table. Thirdly, in recent years it does seem as though the blood banks are pressing unusually hard for donations. I've read that depending on where you donate, the blood is sometimes sent overseas to disaster zones, etc. And given the growth in STDs, blood illnesses, heart conditions, etc. that might disqualify potential donors, it's possible the pool of willing candidates has shrunk to the point now where blood banks can't build up statistically sufficient reserves. Hence my question to posters (especially posters with a medical background) is this: How true is the claim, "Give blood. Save a life."? Is there any non-negligible statistical chance my blood could help (say, greater than a 1-in-100,000 chance), or is this something I should just leave to the multitudes out there whose blood-giving experiences are significantly better than mine? Does anyone here routinely give blood? If you've had a painful experience, can vouch for the fact that it was just an isolated incident, or does it hurt like a dog every time? Thanks for your feedback.
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Post by Jaguar on Jan 13, 2015 20:38:28 GMT -5
I routinely have to have blood transfusions, like every 4 to 5 weeks, my blood type is O-. BUT I know all blood types is needed.
I also have a good idea on the amount needed for say lung or open heart surgery. I know when I had colon cancer, I think it was either 6 or 8 units ordered for me when I had my surgery. Transplants need a lot as well.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Jan 13, 2015 20:39:43 GMT -5
I have given blood several times. I think you really did just have an idiot draw your blood. Once when I was pregnant, I had a nurse that didn't know what she was doing and left bruised and in pain. My arm turned all kinds of colors. But as far as any other time, including blood drives, I've never had a problem.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jan 13, 2015 20:42:47 GMT -5
As an o+ your blodd can go to about 85% of people. So it is pretty useful. In an emergency it could be given to close to 95% of people, but that would be extreme.
I'm a little confused because you know blood is used in surgeries, but then ask if it is useful. Yes, blood saves lives. Yours particularly valuable because so many can take it.
I don't know stats as to how much they throw away, but I do know there are times they worry. My mom is a med tech, so deals with all the blood testing and such and she donated all the time.
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Post by dannylion on Jan 13, 2015 20:50:30 GMT -5
I would agree that you just got a lousy phlebotomist. At most there might be the sensation of the presence of the pipette in your arm, but there should not have been pain. If you do decide to give it another go, I hope you get a more skilled practitioner.
Donated blood isn't just used as whole blood. Other blood products (plasma, platelets, etc.) are extracted from blood, and I believe some of those products can be preserved to extend their useful life. So it is possible that your blood could save more than one life.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jan 13, 2015 20:52:16 GMT -5
On my way home from work, I often pass by a blood bank ("Canadian Blood Services", which is a not-for-profit organization that manages the blood supply in Canada). Recently I've noticed bus shelter ads in the vicinity of the blood bank are encouraging people to donate blood. The ad slogan is "Give Blood. Save a Life." I've only ever given blood once before. I was told there'd be a sharp prick and then mild discomfort (or maybe none at all) over the few minutes the blood was drawn, not unlike drawing blood for lab samples, which I've done dozens of times. The reality for me was a sharp prick and then feeling as though a giant needle was sticking out of my arm for a quarter of an hour. It hurt. People have since told me that the phlebotomist screwed up, I should have complained, it's not supposed to be that way, etc., etc., but seeing the bore of that needle (it's huge!), I have a really hard time believing it doesn't hurt even at the best of times. Also, perhaps what I was feeling was the so-called "mild discomfort" and I just have a low tolerance for pain. At any rate, once was enough for me. I was more than happy to let other Canadians pick up the slack. But noticing this ad today made me wonder: how true is their "save a life" slogan? My blood type is O+, which is the most common blood type. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't have any rare qualities to it. Since the CBS has had the "save a life" slogan for as long as I can remember (the Red Cross and other blood organizations have similar slogans) but I can't recall ever reading about Canadians dying en masse due to blood shortages, it's always seemed to me that the claim was/is the kind of absurd hyperbole one normally sees in advertisements. As in: if the blood bank was running six standard deviations below its average supply, and 20 passenger trains simultaneously derailed, and the Rogers Stadium suddenly exploded in a giant fiery ball of death, my blood might conceivably save somebody's life. On any other day it'd go into a reserve bin somewhere until it expired and was thrown out. But honestly I have no clue. Today I was questioning the wisdom of not giving blood. Firstly, because if there truly is some non-negligible chance that my blood could save a life, "the needle hurts" is a lousy excuse not to donate. Secondly, it wasn't lost on me that if we apply the categorical imperative--that is, if everybody felt like me and didn't donate blood--people literally would be dying by the dozens on the operating table. Thirdly, in recent years it does seem as though the blood banks are pressing unusually hard for donations. I've read that depending on where you donate, the blood is sometimes sent overseas to disaster zones, etc. And given the growth in STDs, blood illnesses, heart conditions, etc. that might disqualify potential donors, it's possible the pool of willing candidates has shrunk to the point now where blood banks can't build up statistically sufficient reserves. Hence my question to posters (especially posters with a medical background) is this: How true is the claim, "Give blood. Save a life."? Is there any non-negligible statistical chance my blood could help (say, greater than a 1-in-100,000 chance), or is this something I should just leave to the multitudes out there whose blood-giving experiences are significantly better than mine? Does anyone here routinely give blood? If you've had a painful experience, can vouch for the fact that it was just an isolated incident, or does it hurt like a dog every time? Thanks for your feedback. Oh, man up Skippy, and do the Christian thing. "I don't want to save lives. Last time I got an ouchie!" Donated blood certainly saves lives, having saved mine on more than one occasion. Here are some blood donation facts. www.bloodcenters.org/blood-donation/facts-about-blood-donation/
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 20:54:55 GMT -5
As an o+ your blodd can go to about 85% of people. So it is pretty useful. In an emergency it could be given to close to 95% of people, but that would be extreme. I'm a little confused because you know blood is used in surgeries, but then ask if it is useful. Yes, blood saves lives. Yours particularly valuable because so many can take it. I don't know stats as to how much they throw away, but I do know there are times they worry. My mom is a med tech, so deals with all the blood testing and such and she donated all the time. I know it's useful if they need it. But the need for blood is statistical like anything else, or such is my understanding. They keep enough stocked such that if demand suddenly spiked by six standard deviations, say, they could still meet the demand. But on any ordinary day, month, etc., they have to throw away a significant amount of what was previously donated and expired, hence one additional donor really wouldn't make any meaningful difference. Part of what I'm wondering is what those probabilities are. If I donate blood, is there a 10% chance it would mean the difference between saving a life and not? A 1% chance? A 1-in-a-million chance? A one-in-a-billion chance? How much of a reserve do the blood banks have? How prone to blood shortages are western nations in this era of cheap global transport?
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Post by Jaguar on Jan 13, 2015 20:56:45 GMT -5
I got a 403 Forbidden on Welts link on Chrome, but Internet Explorer works.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jan 13, 2015 20:57:26 GMT -5
As an o+ your blodd can go to about 85% of people. So it is pretty useful. In an emergency it could be given to close to 95% of people, but that would be extreme. I'm a little confused because you know blood is used in surgeries, but then ask if it is useful. Yes, blood saves lives. Yours particularly valuable because so many can take it. I don't know stats as to how much they throw away, but I do know there are times they worry. My mom is a med tech, so deals with all the blood testing and such and she donated all the time. I know it's useful if they need it. But the need for blood is statistical like anything else, or such is my understanding. They keep enough stocked such that if demand suddenly spiked by six standard deviations, say, they could still meet the demand. But on any ordinary day, month, etc., they have to throw away a significant amount of what was previously donated and expired, hence one additional donor really wouldn't make any meaningful difference. Part of what I'm wondering is what those probabilities are. If I donate blood, is there a 10% chance it would mean the difference between saving a life and not? A 1% chance? A 1-in-a-million chance? A one-in-a-billion chance? How much of a reserve do the blood banks have? How prone to blood shortages are western nations in this era of cheap global transport? Sounds like you're looking for an excuse not to give.
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Jan 13, 2015 20:58:22 GMT -5
Not every gives blood well. It is ok not to do it.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jan 13, 2015 20:58:30 GMT -5
Your blood saves lives, how many you save personally you will never know.
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Jan 13, 2015 20:58:43 GMT -5
To answer your question, yes blood donations save lives. During surgical procedures, transfusions, etc having an ample supply of compatible blood is not only a need, but a life-saver.
When my father underwent his heart transplant (one of the first 100 in Canada), the surgery and transplant would not have been a success without transfusions.
One of my cousins hemorrhaged while giving birth. Transfusions saved her life.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 20:58:56 GMT -5
On my way home from work, I often pass by a blood bank ("Canadian Blood Services", which is a not-for-profit organization that manages the blood supply in Canada). Recently I've noticed bus shelter ads in the vicinity of the blood bank are encouraging people to donate blood. The ad slogan is "Give Blood. Save a Life." I've only ever given blood once before. I was told there'd be a sharp prick and then mild discomfort (or maybe none at all) over the few minutes the blood was drawn, not unlike drawing blood for lab samples, which I've done dozens of times. The reality for me was a sharp prick and then feeling as though a giant needle was sticking out of my arm for a quarter of an hour. It hurt. People have since told me that the phlebotomist screwed up, I should have complained, it's not supposed to be that way, etc., etc., but seeing the bore of that needle (it's huge!), I have a really hard time believing it doesn't hurt even at the best of times. Also, perhaps what I was feeling was the so-called "mild discomfort" and I just have a low tolerance for pain. At any rate, once was enough for me. I was more than happy to let other Canadians pick up the slack. But noticing this ad today made me wonder: how true is their "save a life" slogan? My blood type is O+, which is the most common blood type. To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't have any rare qualities to it. Since the CBS has had the "save a life" slogan for as long as I can remember (the Red Cross and other blood organizations have similar slogans) but I can't recall ever reading about Canadians dying en masse due to blood shortages, it's always seemed to me that the claim was/is the kind of absurd hyperbole one normally sees in advertisements. As in: if the blood bank was running six standard deviations below its average supply, and 20 passenger trains simultaneously derailed, and the Rogers Stadium suddenly exploded in a giant fiery ball of death, my blood might conceivably save somebody's life. On any other day it'd go into a reserve bin somewhere until it expired and was thrown out. But honestly I have no clue. Today I was questioning the wisdom of not giving blood. Firstly, because if there truly is some non-negligible chance that my blood could save a life, "the needle hurts" is a lousy excuse not to donate. Secondly, it wasn't lost on me that if we apply the categorical imperative--that is, if everybody felt like me and didn't donate blood--people literally would be dying by the dozens on the operating table. Thirdly, in recent years it does seem as though the blood banks are pressing unusually hard for donations. I've read that depending on where you donate, the blood is sometimes sent overseas to disaster zones, etc. And given the growth in STDs, blood illnesses, heart conditions, etc. that might disqualify potential donors, it's possible the pool of willing candidates has shrunk to the point now where blood banks can't build up statistically sufficient reserves. Hence my question to posters (especially posters with a medical background) is this: How true is the claim, "Give blood. Save a life."? Is there any non-negligible statistical chance my blood could help (say, greater than a 1-in-100,000 chance), or is this something I should just leave to the multitudes out there whose blood-giving experiences are significantly better than mine? Does anyone here routinely give blood? If you've had a painful experience, can vouch for the fact that it was just an isolated incident, or does it hurt like a dog every time? Thanks for your feedback. Oh, man up Skippy, and do the Christian thing. "I don't want to save lives. Last time I got an ouchie!" Donated blood certainly saves lives, having saved mine on more than one occasion. Here are some blood donation facts. www.bloodcenters.org/blood-donation/facts-about-blood-donation/That's just the thing. I'll do it if it actually saves a life. If the reality is "it could possibly save a life in some fantastically improbable set of circumstances," it was a bloody big ouchie (pardon the pun).
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Jan 13, 2015 20:59:57 GMT -5
Ooh! Go on that table thing that separates the plasma! I always wanted to but you have to be at least 5'4", and I'm not tall enough to ride that ride.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jan 13, 2015 21:01:06 GMT -5
Not every gives blood well. It is ok not to do it. It's even better to do it.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 21:01:12 GMT -5
I got a 403 Forbidden on Welts link on Chrome, but Internet Explorer works. I got the same.
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Jan 13, 2015 21:05:03 GMT -5
And I go an "Error 403" on IE.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jan 13, 2015 21:07:08 GMT -5
A quick search shows that about 13 million units are donated each year and about 10% of that is tossed unused. So there Is around 90% chance your blood is used in some form.
Also keep in mind fresh blood only lasts like a month. So there is a constant need to resupply not only due to use, but due to shelf life as well.
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Jan 13, 2015 21:13:04 GMT -5
Like you, I don't even like getting blood drawn for lab tests, Virgil Showlion - I usually ask to lie down so I don't get dizzy or pass-out, since they usually draw 4 or 5 vials in one session.
But I WILL take one for the team and donate a pint if needed - you'll just have to learn to pull on your big-boy pants and suck it up, buttercup.
The only way to overcome your fears is to face them.
PS: My father (who'd received the transplant and many transfusions during/post surgery), had already been a regular donor for about 20+ yrs before his need for blood. He started donating some time in the 60's.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 21:27:40 GMT -5
A quick search shows that about 13 million units are donated each year and about 10% of that is tossed unused. So there Is around 90% chance your blood is used in some form. Also keep in mind fresh blood only lasts like a month. So there is a constant need to resupply not only due to use, but due to shelf life as well. Do you know of anywhere that might have statistics on how likely shortages are? For example, if a given blood bank requires 90% of the donated blood on average plus or minus 1.5% standard deviation, then the probability they'll ever run short of blood is roughly the same as the probability a meteor will crash into Chicago and leave a crater shaped exactly like Jay Leno's face. If instead it's plus or minus 5%, then one extra unit of blood absolutely could save one more life. Unfortunately, just knowing the average isn't sufficient to determine which case is closer to reality. I am encouraged by the testimonials that my phlebotomist may not have stuck me properly. I do think I'll go in for another attempt. I'm just wondering now, in advance, what I'll do if it hurts like a dog again. Do I grin and bear it, or chalk it up to "This just isn't the charity for me."
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 21:29:49 GMT -5
Like you, I don't even like getting blood drawn for lab tests, Virgil Showlion - I usually ask to lie down so I don't get dizzy or pass-out, since they usually draw 4 or 5 vials in one session.
But I WILL take one for the team and donate a pint if needed - you'll just have to learn to pull on your big-boy pants and suck it up, buttercup.
The only way to overcome your fears is to face them.
PS: My father (who'd received the transplant and many transfusions during/post surgery), had already been a regular donor for about 20+ yrs before his need for blood. He started donating some time in the 60's. I actually have no problem with getting blood drawn for tests. I usually can't even feel anything beyond the initial poke. But those are the teeny wee butterfly needles. The ones at CBS look more like trocars.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jan 13, 2015 21:37:58 GMT -5
A quick search shows that about 13 million units are donated each year and about 10% of that is tossed unused. So there Is around 90% chance your blood is used in some form. Also keep in mind fresh blood only lasts like a month. So there is a constant need to resupply not only due to use, but due to shelf life as well. Do you know of anywhere that might have statistics on how likely shortages are? For example, if a given blood bank requires 90% of the donated blood on average plus or minus 1.5% standard deviation, then the probability they'll ever run short of blood is roughly the same as the probability a meteor will crash into Chicago and leave a crater shaped exactly like Jay Leno's face. If instead it's plus or minus 5%, then one extra unit of blood absolutely could save one more life. Unfortunately, just knowing the average isn't sufficient to determine which case is closer to reality. I am encouraged by the testimonials that my phlebotomist may not have stuck me properly. I do think I'll go in for another attempt. I'm just wondering now, in advance, what I'll do if it hurts like a dog again. Do I grin and bear it, or chalk it up to "This just isn't the charity for me." If it hurts, speak up. When you go in, explain that you had a bad experience before and might be a difficult draw. That should alert them to assign you to an experienced phlebotomist, but I'd make it a point to ask for someone who is good with difficult draws just to be on the safe side. And absolutely speak up if it hurts. It shouldn't hurt.
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Jan 13, 2015 21:39:18 GMT -5
My only problem with lab work, is when they're switching vials mid-stream - the needle is still in your vein, but it moves or "jiggles" a bit. A good lab tech can do the vial transfer without you even noticing, but there's those who rush and it is uncomfortable (and sometimes painful) when they're trying to juggle the vials.
I've walked out of there with little more than a small needle mark on my inner arm, to a full-blown bruise.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jan 13, 2015 21:42:42 GMT -5
A quick search shows that about 13 million units are donated each year and about 10% of that is tossed unused. So there Is around 90% chance your blood is used in some form. Also keep in mind fresh blood only lasts like a month. So there is a constant need to resupply not only due to use, but due to shelf life as well. Do you know of anywhere that might have statistics on how likely shortages are? For example, if a given blood bank requires 90% of the donated blood on average plus or minus 1.5% standard deviation, then the probability they'll ever run short of blood is roughly the same as the probability a meteor will crash into Chicago and leave a crater shaped exactly like Jay Leno's face. If instead it's plus or minus 5%, then one extra unit of blood absolutely could save one more life. Unfortunately, just knowing the average isn't sufficient to determine which case is closer to reality. I am encouraged by the testimonials that my phlebotomist may not have stuck me properly. I do think I'll go in for another attempt. I'm just wondering now, in advance, what I'll do if it hurts like a dog again. Do I grin and bear it, or chalk it up to "This just isn't the charity for me." Shortages happen quite often. That is why they advertise asking for blood. A lot of times it is a regional thing and they may be able to get blood shipped in from elsewhere. If things are bad they can postpone elective surgeries. If things are really bad they can make due. For example in an emergency they can give someone with a negative blood type positive blood. It is a really bad idea and if that person had previously been exposed to positive blood it will probably kill them. But if it is a trauma and they will die without it, they do what they have to in order to attempt to save their life.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jan 13, 2015 21:44:17 GMT -5
It got so bad at my hospital with the techs in the lab not doing the right bloodwork for us, that now the lab is only allowed to draw Cross and Type and CBC from us. Our clinic nurses get everything else.
Now our clinic nurses are freaking awesome to draw blood, but I can't say the same thing about the techs from the lab.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jan 13, 2015 21:45:48 GMT -5
Tip: if your getting poked and blood drawn, drink a lot of water the day before. It puffs up the veins.
Also heat puffs up the veins as well. So have some hot teas just before your blood is drawn, not coffee cause that makes you go to the bathroom. We use heated blankets down at my clinic.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jan 13, 2015 21:55:19 GMT -5
Do a search for blood shortages in the news. I get tons of very recent results describing current localized shortages and even a nationwide shortages. Some of the articles talk about blood banks being unable to fill orders or having less than a days supply available.
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Virgil Showlion
Distinguished Associate
Moderator
[b]leones potest resistere[/b]
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:19:33 GMT -5
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jan 13, 2015 22:05:37 GMT -5
Do a search for blood shortages in the news. I get tons of very recent results describing current localized shortages and even a nationwide shortages. Some of the articles talk about blood banks being unable to fill orders or having less than a days supply available. OK. You've convinced me it is my civic duty. I shall give it another go and see if I can't find an arrangement that works. But I shan't be held liable for the consequences of Virgillian blood running through the veins of trauma patients. All the lady ER nurses swooning over their stabbing victims and such. Hopefully I'm still eligible. I take an antidepressant, but I was on an antidepressant the last time I donated and they seemingly didn't have a problem with that.
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mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Jan 13, 2015 22:09:34 GMT -5
Sugi is right. If you're going to give blood be sure you're very well hydrated. That way, the veins are easier to find. Drink water, not tea or coffee. Tea has caffeine, as well, and that's what dehydrates. An antidepressant should be fine, Virgil.
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ken a.k.a OMK
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They killed Kenny, the bastards.
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Jan 13, 2015 22:13:44 GMT -5
Yes giving blood saves lives. Years ago there was a police helicopter pilot who crashed and needed 160 units of blood. He didn't make it. That's a lot of blood in a short time. I think a normal daily blood drive like at a business gets half of that.
I am O neg which can be given to anyone. So it's always in demand for emergencies and is a shortage. Down side for me is I can only take O neg.
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