The next step in the blood processing cycle of Regional Blood Centre is collection of blood. Blood collection is a procedure whereby a single donation of blood is collected in an anticoagulant and/or stabilizing solution, under conditions designed to minimize microbial contamination, cellular damage and/or coagulation activation of the resulting blood donation.

The process for collecting blood from donors is similar to that used for blood sampling; however, a few additional measures are required for collection of donated blood. These measures are primarily to ensure patient safety, but also to minimize exogenous contamination of a donated blood unit or its derived components, particularly contamination from the skin flora of the donor’s arm. Because of the volume or blood collected and the length of storage, pathogens can multiply during storage. Safe collection ensures that the blood products are safe for therapeutic use throughout their shelf life.

Blood may be collected in a number of different types of collection facilities including:

• Mobile collection units or vehicles
• Demountable collection centres;
• Stand-alone static collection centres; and,
• Static collection facility located in a blood centre.

The decision on the type of collection centre or mix of types depends on local conditions, including existing and projected blood centres and donor location and access. For the Regional Blood Center, the Static Blood Collection Unit/Centre approach is used. Following are the responsibilities which are performed by blood collection unit of regional blood centre:

• Pre-donation Checks of Equipment and material
• Donor Identification, Donor arm Cleansing
• Venipuncture and Blood Collection
• Donor Care/Supervision
• Handling of Donation and Samples