The steps between donation and transfusion
Blood donation : what to expect?
Collecting one blood bag (450 ml) takes about ten minutes, but the entire donation process usually takes an hour.
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Transformation of the blood donation
When the blood bags arrive at Héma-Québec, a race against the clock begins. Blood is perishable; it is therefore crucial to proceed efficiently, while complying with extremely strict transformation standards and procedures.
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Blood donation screening
The blood samples collected during the donation are sent to the qualification laboratory to determine the donor's blood type and screen for infections such as hepatitis B and C, syphilis, West Nile virus, HIV causing AIDS and other blood-borne diseases.
Shelf life of blood products
Once a product is deemed compliant, it is duly labeled and stored, ready for shipment to hospitals. The short shelf life of blood products is a constant challenge for Héma-Québec.