Directed Blood Donations

What is a directed donation?
A directed donation is a blood donation made for a specific individual. It allows a patient to sometimes choose the people who donate blood for them.

How is this done?
First, the patient’s physician or surgeon provides a written order to the patient or the blood center. Then the patient or a family member contacts the blood center, at least three working days before the need for transfusion arises. It takes time to process and test the blood. If there is less than a threeday notice, the blood may not be available when needed. If the blood will be shippped to a different blood bank, you must donate at least one week before the blood is needed.

What information is required?
Before the donation, the blood center needs the patient’s name, Social Security number or hospital record number, date of birth, date of surgery, blood type, and the name of the patient’s physician.

Where can directed donations be made?
At any LifeSouth branch. Please call to make an appointment. A picture I.D. is required to donate. Directed donations can also be made at most blood centers nationwide and shipped wherever needed.

Do pediatric and neonate ICU patients have special needs?
Yes. Some hospitals require that donations made for infants test negative for “CMV” or cytomegalovirus. This virus is harmful to babies and to patients with suppressed immune systems. The virus occurs in roughly half the adult population and is not harmful to healthy people.

Are directed donations safer?
No, they are not safer than blood donated by the general population. All donated blood undergoes the same screening and testing. However, it may make a patient feel better knowing whose blood they are receiving. For this reason, we offer this special service.

What about donor confidentiality?
If a directed donation is not available at the hospital, it does not mean that a donor has a positive laboratory test. Many technical situations can interfere with the availability of blood. The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and other agencies regulate the blood testing process. Testing requires the time and effort of many people, and can take three working days. LifeSouth does not guarantee the availability of directed donations.

If blood is not acceptable for transfusion, LifeSouth protects the donor’s right to confidentiality. Test results are released only to the donor. The privacy of all donors, including those who give a directed donation, must be protected. And please remember: never pressure someone into donating blood. All blood donations should be voluntary; there are many factors involved that may prevent someone from donating. Under pressure, someone may withhold information that is vital to the safety of the donation.