Autologous blood banking involves collecting and storing an individual’s blood for their own future use. This practice differs from standard blood donation, where blood is given to a general supply for anyone in need. Autologous banking focuses on the concept of self-sufficiency, ensuring that a patient’s own blood is available for potential medical procedures or unforeseen emergencies requiring a transfusion. It establishes a personalized blood reserve, distinct from the broader community blood supply.
Reasons for Autologous Blood Banking
Individuals often choose to bank their own blood primarily for planned medical procedures where significant blood loss is anticipated. Common scenarios include major surgeries such as total hip or knee replacements, certain cardiac operations, or specific vascular procedures. For these surgeries, there is a recognized likelihood of needing a blood transfusion.
A key benefit of using one’s own blood is the complete elimination of risks associated with receiving blood from another donor. This includes preventing the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV and various forms of hepatitis, which was a significant concern in the past. Additionally, autologous transfusions remove the risk of immune reactions or allergic responses that can occur when the body reacts to foreign antigens present in donor blood.
Autologous banking is particularly beneficial for individuals with rare blood types or those who have developed specific antibodies that make finding compatible donor blood challenging. Using one’s own blood ensures perfect compatibility, avoiding the complexities of cross-matching. This approach also reduces the overall demand on the volunteer blood supply, contributing to its availability for others. Furthermore, for some individuals, personal blood banking aligns with religious or personal beliefs that restrict receiving blood from others.
Steps in Banking Your Own Blood
The process of banking your own blood begins with a consultation with your physician, who determines if autologous donation is appropriate for your specific medical situation. Your doctor will assess the likelihood of needing a transfusion during your planned surgery and evaluate your overall health to ensure it is safe for you to donate. This initial step often involves completing a special order form or prescription from your physician, which is sent to the blood collection facility.
Once the physician’s order is in place, the blood collection center will contact you to schedule your donation appointments. Prior to each donation, a brief medical history is taken, and a mini-physical is conducted. This includes checking your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, and performing a finger-prick test to measure your hemoglobin level, which typically needs to be at least 11 g/dL. You must be in good general health, free from active infections, and meet specific weight requirements, often at least 110 pounds.
The actual blood collection process is similar to a standard blood donation and usually takes about 10 minutes. If multiple units of blood are required, donations are typically scheduled weekly, or every four to seven days, to allow your body time to recover and replenish red blood cells. Iron supplements may be prescribed by your doctor to support this recovery. The final donation must generally occur at least three to seven days before your scheduled surgery to ensure your body has sufficient time to restore fluid volume and for the blood to be prepared.
Important Considerations for Personal Blood Storage
When considering personal blood storage, understanding the practical aspects of how long blood can be kept is important. Refrigerated whole blood or packed red blood cells are typically viable for up to 42 days from the collection date. For longer-term storage, blood components can sometimes be frozen, extending their shelf life significantly, potentially up to a year or more, though this is less common for routine autologous donations.
There are costs associated with autologous blood banking, which generally fall into categories such as collection fees, processing fees, and storage fees. These costs can vary, and insurance coverage for these expenses also differs, so it is advisable to check with your insurance provider beforehand. Autologous donation is generally more expensive than using the standard community blood supply.
Several limitations also exist for personal blood storage. The volume of blood that can be safely donated and stored before a procedure is finite and depends on the individual’s health and the time available. While autologous blood is highly compatible, it may not always be sufficient to meet all transfusion needs during a major medical event. In such cases, additional blood from the community supply might still be required. Furthermore, a significant percentage of autologous donations, particularly for surgeries with lower anticipated blood loss, are never used and are subsequently wasted. This highlights the importance of a thorough medical evaluation to determine if autologous blood banking is truly warranted.