Question for blood bank staff, double reds?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What are double reds? How often can they be drawn? Is the donar in any additional danger because two units are drawn? Do they have to be observed closer than a donar that gave only one unit? Is the anything replaced like plasma?

Specializes in orthopedics, ED observation.

I have given double reds. Yes, plasma was returned. The amount of time between possible donations was increased from approx. 2 months to approx. 4 months. I didn't notice any additional ill effects as a donor, but I was able to do this for the last time about a year before finishing my RN, so can't answer from that perspective. The perspective donor must be a certain height (over 5'5" ?) and over 175 lbs. HTH!

Specializes in AGNP.

Double reds are called a "2 for 1". The donor donates 2 units of RBCs and the plasma is returned to the donor. A normal donation requires 56 days between donation but the double red procedure requires 112 days between donations. An extra 500 mL of NS is returned with the plasma. The requirements for donating double reds is males must be 5'1" and 130 pounds, females must be 5'5" and 150 pounds, both must have an Hct above 40%.

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