Plasma donation centres always conduct thorough examinations of donors’ elbows during the screening process before allowing them to donate. But why do healthcare professionals pay such close attention to elbows when preparing individuals to donate plasma? There are some very important reasons for these checks.
Understanding the purpose behind elbow inspections can help plasma donors appreciate the value of this step. It underscores the commitment to safety and care taken at plasma collection facilities.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key reasons healthcare professionals carefully inspect the elbows of potential plasma donors.
What is Plasma?
Plasma constitutes the largest component of blood, making up about 55% of the total blood volume. It is a straw-colored liquid containing water, proteins, nutrients, and clotting factors. Plasma serves as a transport medium for red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, electrolytes, hormones, and nutrients throughout the body.
How is Plasma Collected?
Plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis. During this procedure, blood is drawn from the donor and passed through an automated machine that separates the plasma from the other blood components. The red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are then returned to the donor, while the collected plasma is preserved and sent for processing.
Importance of Donor Screening
All plasma donation centers adhere to strict screening protocols to safeguard donor health and safety. Potential donors must pass an initial phone screening, followed by a medical history review, physical examination, and testing for infectious diseases on their first visit. Regular donors are also screened every time they come in to donate. This includes checking vital signs, collecting health updates, and examining the donor’s arms before beginning the donation process.
Why Do They Check Your Elbows Before Donating Plasma?
Plasma centres are required to ensure that individuals who use drugs do not contribute to the donor pool to maintain a safe environment. Phlebotomists conduct a detailed examination of the elbow area since it is a common location for intravenous drug use. They search for specific indicators such as track marks, which are linear scars resulting from frequent injections into the same vein. With this background on plasma donation, let’s explore the other reasons why healthcare professionals pay close attention to donors’ elbows.
Finding the Best Veins for Venipuncture
The primary purpose of elbow checks is to locate suitable veins for inserting the needle and collecting plasma. The antecubital area of the arms contains large, superficial veins that are ideal for venipuncture. These vessels include:
- Basilic vein: Located along the inside of the arm near the elbow, which is the preferred site.
- Cephalic vein: Running along the outer part of the arm near the elbow, it may be used if the basilic vein is unsuitable.
- Median cubital vein: Connecting the basilic and cephalic veins, it is typically avoided for donation.
Healthcare professionals use a tourniquet to examine the elbow and identify the best-visible and palpable veins. They assess the size and position of these vessels to ensure they are suitable for needle insertion. The inspection also includes looking for potential issues such as scarring, bruising, or thrombophlebitis that could hinder successful access.
Checking Vein Health
In addition to finding accessible veins for plasma collection, the elbow assessment aims to confirm that the veins are healthy. Healthcare professionals check that the veins:
- Are well anchored under the skin.
- Exhibit good resilience when pressure is applied.
- Rapidly refill when pressure is released.
- Lack leaks, thinning, and other signs of damage.
This evaluation helps determine whether the veins can withstand the pressure of blood flow during the donation process without collapsing or infiltrating.
Identifying Skin Conditions
The skin check over the elbow area serves multiple purposes:
- It looks for rashes, wounds, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
- Checks for scabs and openings that could allow bacteria to enter.
- Identifies moles, lesions, or other features that could interfere with needle placement.
Skin assessments ensure that the venipuncture site is intact and free from any compromised skin that could increase infection risks. Certain conditions like dermatitis may become inflamed or infected from needle sticks.
Avoiding Nerves and Other Anatomy
The antecubital area contains arteries, nerves, and tendons that must be avoided during venipuncture. Proper vein selection and site inspection help prevent accidental contact with these critical structures. The key anatomy that healthcare professionals try to avoid includes:
- Brachial artery: Running just medial to the biceps tendon in the antecubital fossa, puncturing it could lead to severe bleeding.
- Median nerve: Located at the medial angle of the elbow next to the brachial artery, hitting it can cause sharp pain.
- Ulnar nerve: Running posterior to the medial epicondyle, striking it can result in numbness and tingling.
Thoroughly checking the exact vein position minimizes the chances of nerve or arterial damage, reducing patient discomfort.
Detecting Signs of IV Drug Use
Regrettably, some individuals attempt to donate plasma solely for monetary compensation, even if they engage in intravenous drug use. Plasma centers must prevent drug users from donating to maintain a safe donor pool. Healthcare professionals thoroughly inspect elbows because this is a common injection site for IV drug users. Signs they look for include:
- Track marks: Linear scars from repeated injections into the same vein.
- Pitting: Punctures that create small dents in the skin.
- Bruising or redness: These can indicate recent IV drug use.
- Sclerosis: Hardened veins resulting from chronic injections.
Most reputable plasma collection organizations will inquire about IV drug use history during screening. However, the elbow check provides additional validation that donors are not currently engaging in intravenous drug use.
Evaluating Previous Donation Impact
For repeat donors, healthcare professionals also visually assess the elbows to identify the effects of previous donations. These signs may include:
- Scarring: Scars can make veins less visible or cause bruising with subsequent donations.
- Thickening: Repeated venipuncture can lead to the formation of scar tissue.
- Bruising: Residual bruises may necessitate a change in the collection site.
Observing the impact of earlier donations allows appropriate precautions to be taken to prevent excessive discomfort or difficulties during the donation process.
What to Expect During the Elbow Assessment
When you visit a plasma donation center, the healthcare professional will follow a careful process to examine your elbows:
- Exposure: They will first ask you to expose your elbows by pushing up your sleeves. It’s best to wear short or loose sleeves for easy access.
- Cleaning: The antecubital areas will be wiped down with an antibacterial sanitizing agent. This prepares the skin for visualization and needle insertion.
- Pressure Application: A latex tourniquet will be tied around your upper arm to increase venous pressure and make the veins below more visible.
- Visual Inspection: The healthcare professional will visually scan your elbows to choose the best vein and site. They assess the size, depth, straightness, and resilience of
Why Do Patients Need Plasma?
Plasma contains antibodies and other proteins that play a vital role in fighting infections and diseases. Donated plasma is processed into life-saving medical therapies used to treat a variety of conditions, including immunodeficiencies, bleeding disorders like hemophilia, burn victims, shock and trauma patients, and organ transplant recipients. Plasma-based therapies are also utilized to combat diseases such as rabies, tetanus, hepatitis B, and respiratory illnesses. The antibodies in plasma can be processed to create immunoglobulin therapies.