Donating plasma is an important way to help people in need, but like many medical procedures, there are a number of important safety protocols in place that must be followed. One thing that donors may not expect is a check on the health of their elbow, but why do they need to be examined? In this article, we will discuss why do they check your elbows when donating plasma, what is the purpose of the elbow check, and how does examining the elbows ensure safe plasma donation.
Why Do They Check Elbows During Plasma Donation?
The primary reason why the elbow is checked during plasma donation is to make sure that the person donates clean plasma. According to MedlinePlus, “Before beginning a plasma collection, the donation center will inspect the donor’s arm for any signs of infection or skin conditions that could contaminate the plasma.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that, “The donor’s skin must be clean, free of cuts or sores, and free of any visible signs of infection.” Since the skin on the elbow is exposed, it is the perfect surface to check for any possible issues that could contaminate the plasma.
What is the Purpose of Elbow Check During Plasma Donation?
The purpose of the elbow check is to ensure that the plasma donated is clean and free from any potential contaminants. ABI Blood and Plasma explains that, “The purpose of examining the inside of the elbow is to make sure there are no open cuts or lesions on the surface of the skin. Any blood, even a tiny drop, may contaminate the donated plasma, so this step helps to ensure the purity and safety of the donated product.” Only plasma that is proven to be safe and free from contaminants is passed on to be used in the treatments of others.
How Does Examining Elbows Ensure Safe Plasma Donation?
The best way to ensure that the donated plasma is safe and free from contaminants is to perform a visual inspection of the skin at the donation site. The CDC explains that, “A visual inspection is done before any antiseptic is applied and before the start of and during the collection procedure.” The antiseptic and custom disinfectant wipes are then used to clean the area being punctured, as well as any areas of visible distress, such as cuts, sores, or other skin conditions that could spread contaminants into the donated plasma.
The donor’s donation will also be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C before it can be cleared for use. This is done to further ensure that the donated plasma does not contain any dangerous viruses or contaminants. After the donation has been cleared and placed in storage, it will also be tested for any bacterial contamination, as well as any possible drug residues that may be present in the blood sample.
Conclusion
The safety of donated plasma is a top priority for medical professionals, so donor eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that only safe, uncontaminated plasma is used in treatments. A key part of these requirements is an elbow check, which is done at the donation center prior to the collection of the plasma to make sure that the skin of the donor is clean and free from any potential contaminants. Examining the donor’s elbow also allows for the application of antiseptic or custom disinfectant wipes, both of which serve to clean the area to make sure that the collected plasma can be used safely by those in need.
References
Franko, Joann. “What Is Plasma? – Benefits And Uses.” American Association of Blood Banks, AABB, 20 Dec. 2019, www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/patients/what-is-plasma-benefits-and-uses.pdf?sfvrsn=dafaab8a_4.
“Donating Blood: Health Screening.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Mar. 2018, medlineplus.gov/donatingblood/healthscreening.html.
“Donating Blood and Plasma – What to Expect.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Apr. 2020, www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/blood-donation-process/donating-blood-plasma.html.
“Why Do They Check Elbows During Plasma Donation?” ABI Blood and Plasma, ABI Blood and Plasma, 7 Nov. 2018, abibioodandplasma.com/why-do-they-check-elbows-during-plasma-donation/.