The Centro Regional de Hemoterapia is conducting a two-day blood donation drive at the Universidad Católica de Salta (UCASAL) on Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28, accepting all blood groups and factors to replenish daily clinical supplies for patients of all ages.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- Universal Access: Donations from any blood group and factor are needed to maintain component availability for hospital demands.
- Strict Eligibility Filters: Donors must fall between 16 and 65 years of age, weigh over 50 kilograms, and meet specific health-history deferral periods.
- Infectious Disease Deferrals: Temporary deferrals apply following recent vaccinations, antibiotic treatments, or a history of dengue virus exposure.
Donation Schedule and Eligibility Criteria at UCASAL
Extractions at the UCASAL campus are scheduled for Tuesday from 13:30 to 18:30 and Wednesday from 8:30 to 13:00. Eligible participants must be individuals between 16 and 65 years of age with a body weight exceeding 50 kilograms. Prospective donors must also present without a history of cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, Chagas disease, oncological, or infectious pathologies that could pose a risk to recipients.
Strict exclusion criteria apply to safeguard both the donor and the clinical blood supply. Pregnant individuals and those currently breastfeeding are temporarily ineligible. Furthermore, anyone who has undergone surgery, endoscopy, or colonoscopy within the past six months, or received tattoos or piercings in that same timeframe, must defer donation.
Immunological Deferrals and Vector-Borne Pathogen Windows
Clinical protocols dictate specific waiting periods following pharmacological and immunological interventions. Individuals who received the influenza vaccine and exhibit adverse reactions such as fever or myalgia must wait 72 hours post-administration. Those completing an antibiotic regimen must wait seven days from their final dose.
Vector-borne illnesses require extended metabolic clearance windows. Individuals with a history of standard dengue fever must wait three months before donating, while those affected by severe forms, such as hemorrhagic dengue, face a six-month deferral. Additionally, individuals cohabiting with persons exhibiting dengue symptoms must wait four weeks. A minimum interval of two months is required between standard whole blood donations.
| Intervention or Condition | Required Deferral Period |
|---|---|
| Influenza Vaccination (with systemic symptoms) | 72 hours post-administration |
| Antibiotic Therapy | 7 days from final dose |
| Hemorrhagic Dengue | 6 months |
| Surgeries, Endoscopies, Tattoos, Piercings | 6 months |
Bone Marrow Registry and Permanent Spontaneous Donation Channels
During the UCASAL drive, personnel from CUCAI Salta will provide education regarding bone marrow donation for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These cellular components are critical for treating hematological malignancies and disorders, including leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma, myeloma, thalassemia, metabolic errors, and immunodeficiencies. Volunteers registering for the national bone marrow registry must provide a single blood unit to determine genetic compatibility profiles.
Beyond mobile campus drives, the Centro Regional de Hemoterapia maintains ongoing operations at its headquarters located at Bolívar 687 in Salta. Spontaneous donors can visit Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 17:00, and Saturdays from 7:00 to 12:00, or contact the facility via telephone at (0387) 4215020.
