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Plasma Donation Safety

IS DONATING PLASMA AND PLATELETS safe?

Your health and safety are our top priorities. PlasmaSource follows strict health and safety protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure every donation is safe for you and the patients who receive your donation.  

These protocols help prevent the spread of infectious disease, ensure plasma and platelet donation safety, and confirm our facility meets the highest safety standards. We prioritize: 

  • Proper hygiene practices (e.g., hand hygiene and cough etiquette). 
  • Regular cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • Sterile, single-use donation kits and needles. 

Other ways we ensure that donating plasma and platelets is safe for everyone involved include: 
Extensive staff training
Every PlasmaSource team member is trained in the latest plasma and platelet safety and medical technologies to ensure your donation experience is safe and comfortable. 
Donor health screenings and physical exams
Donors must pass a health screening before each visit (as well as an annual physical exam) to ensure they are in good physical health and are not taking any medication that would prevent them from donating. 
 
Comprehensive donation testing
Our state-of-the-art laboratory carefully tests and tracks every donation. Any donation that does not pass our safety protocols will be discarded. 
FDA Regulated
PlasmaSource is licensed and regulated by the FDA. They routinely visit and audit our donation center. 
IDPH Monitoring
PlasmaSource is monitored by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure we comply with all required testing procedures. 
Quality Assurance Program
Our robust quality assurance program monitors, tests, inspects and verifies our collection process consistently meets all CDC, FDA, and IDPH requirements throughout the year. 

IS DONATING PLASMA AND PLATELETS bad for you? 

When deciding whether to donate plasma or platelets, you may wonder, “Is it healthy?” The good news is there are several health-related benefits of donating plasma, including: 

  • Access to vital health information -  During your screening process, a certified technician will check your vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, and blood count), providing critical health information to help you monitor your overall well-being. 
  • Regular health checkups - Regular plasma and platelet donors receive routine monitoring, which can help bring attention to any underlying health issues.
  • Promotes a healthy lifestyle - Regular plasma and platelet donors are encouraged to form healthier eating habits, stay hydrated and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This promotes better blood flow and faster replenishment of lost fluids, making the donation process more manageable.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS of donating plasma and platelets?

For most people, there are no side effects of donating plasma and platelets. However, it is important to be prepared. Potential side effects and risks of donating plasma and platelets include: 

  • Bruising and discomfort at the injection site
  • Bleeding at the injection site
  • Fatigue
  • Dehydration
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

IS DONATING PLASMA  dangerous?

Plasma donation is safe when done at a licensed donation center.

Though extremely rare, serious infections or reactions may occur.

  • Infection
    Any time a needle is used to pierce the skin, there is a small risk of infection. Signs of infection include warm or tender skin or pain and swelling around the injection site.
  • Citrate reaction
    During your donation, a technician will infuse a blood-thinning medicine called citrate into the collected blood (the blood in the plasmapheresis machine). This helps prevent clots from forming. Though the machine retains most of this medicine, some will be returned to your body along with your red and white blood cells. Signs of citrate reaction include:
    • Numbness or tingling in the lips, fingers, and toes
    • Muscles twitching
    • Metallic taste in the mouth
    • Chills or shivering
    • Feeling vibrations throughout the body
    • Shortness of breath
    • Abnormally slow or rapid pulse

Please contact a doctor for treatment at the first sign of infection or adverse reaction.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please read our Frequently Asked Questions or schedule a consultation.
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