As the celebration of Lab Week continues, representatives of the Medical Laboratory at the Alexandra Hospital continue to educate the public on the services available at the facility, placing a special focus on blood banking.
Blood banking is the process that takes place in a lab, to ensure donated blood or blood products are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes testing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases.
A Transfusion is a procedure which may be done after a patient has encountered a life threatening injury or surgery and needs their blood replenished. Other than unexpected cases, however, such as expecting mothers, how can someone adequately prepare for a blood donation if needed? Here is one representative from the lab, Ms. Ernesia Pemberton:
Additionally, Mrs. Julene Grant encouraged the public to register for its Volunteer Blood Donors Programme where persons within the criteria can donate blood when units are needed:
