Autologous Blood Donation

What is an autologous blood donation?
An autologous blood donation is a process which allows you to donate your own blood to be used for surgery. The units will be donated prior to the scheduled surgery and made available as you need them.

Why become an autologous (auto) donor?
Since no two people have identical blood, an autologous donation assures that you will receive blood identical to your own.

What is the downside?
Making sure a unit of blood goes to a specific recipient is a more costly process than the typical volunteer donation.

Who qualifies to be an autologous donor?
Your physician will determine if your medical procedure will require you to receive a blood transfusion and how many units you will need. Your physician will then write the order for you.

What is the donation process?
The Red Cross is ready to help you be your own donor. The procedure for an autologous donation is very similar to the procedure for a volunteer blood donation. The nurse will gather information from you about your past and present health, check your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse, and do a simple blood test to check for anemia.

After your health check, the blood will be collected and carefully tagged with your surgery information. You will then enjoy refreshments in our donor diner area.

Each time you schedule an appointment, you should plan on spending a little over an hour for the donation. One unit (a little less than a pint) will be collected each time you visit.

If more than one unit of blood is needed for surgery, donations will be scheduled no more than 42 days ahead of surgery, at least seven days apart, and no closer than seven days prior to scheduled surgery. Any units you do not use cannot be used by other patients.

How do I become an autologous blood donor, and where can I donate?
First, discuss this procedure with your physician. If you decide to donate blood for yourself, the physician MUST complete an Autologous Transfusion Request form (available through the physician's office). The physician must FAX the form to Patient Services, 614-253-2924.

Prior to any donations, please call 614-251-1450 or 1-800-338-8086 (ask for Patient Services) so that a patient information chart can be compiled and the dates of your donations established. Patient Services can help identify the most convenient donation site for you and then set up specific times for your appointments.

Is there a fee for this service?
Yes. For each autologous unit of blood collected, there is an autologous service fee which covers the costs associated with scheduling, collecting, testing, typing, processing, storing, distributing the blood as well as the costs of the necessary additional individualized services. The American Red Cross charges this fee to the hospital for each autologous unit collected. The hospital bills the patient/donor. Check with your health insurance plan to determine coverage of this fee.