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.

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.

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.