Squeezing During Plasma Donation
Squeezing or contracting your arm muscles while donating plasma can speed up the plasma collection process by increasing the flow rate from your veins.
The act of squeezing a ball or fist will contract the arm and hand muscles which mildly compresses the nearby blood vessels and veins. This forces more blood to flow through these veins and into the needle and tubing.
As a result, squeezing is a common technique recommended to plasma donors to help speed up the time it takes to complete a donation. It can increase the flow rate by around 15-20% and save 10-15 minutes of donation time.
Many plasma centers will provide donors with a sponge ball or squeezer to hold and compress rhythmically while their arm is hooked up for donation.
When to Squeeze
There are a few instances when you may want to squeeze when donating plasma:
- When the needle is first inserted: Squeezing can help to keep the blood flowing during the initial insertion of the needle. This can help to prevent the needle from moving and causing pain.
- If the blood flow slows down: If the blood flow slows down during the donation, squeezing can help to keep it flowing. This can help to prevent the donation from being interrupted.
- If you feel lightheaded or dizzy: If you feel lightheaded or dizzy during the donation, squeezing can help to increase your blood pressure. This can help to prevent you from fainting.
It is important to note that you should not squeeze too hard. Squeezing too hard can cause pain or bruising. You should also stop squeezing if you are feeling pain or discomfort.
When Not to Squeeze?
However, squeezing is not recommended for all donors. Those with the following conditions should avoid squeezing during plasma donation:
- Fear of needles: Squeezing can make the donation process more uncomfortable for people who are afraid of needles. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, it is best to avoid squeezing.
- Small veins: Squeezing can make the vein collapse, which can make it difficult to insert the needle. If you have small veins, it is best to avoid squeezing or to use a lighter touch.
- Health concerns: High blood pressure or diabetes, it is best to talk to your doctor before squeezing. Squeezing can affect blood pressure and blood sugar levels, so it is important to be aware of the risks.
- Vein disorders: Donors with varicose veins or other vein issues may cause further damage by squeezing.
- Recent injuries: Donors with injuries to the arm and hand should not squeeze until fully healed.
So donors should discuss options with the medical staff and only squeeze if instructed to do so.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Squeezing
Benefits of squeezing during plasma donation include:
Helps to keep blood flowing
One of the most important things during plasma donation is to keep the blood flowing smoothly. If the blood flow slows down, it can increase the risk of clotting. Squeezing can help to keep the blood flowing by increasing the pressure in the vein. This can help to prevent the blood from clotting and make the donation process go more smoothly.
Reduces the risk of clotting
As mentioned above, clotting is a risk during plasma donation. Squeezing can help to reduce the risk of clotting by increasing the pressure in the vein. This can help to keep the blood flowing and prevent it from forming clots.
Makes the donation process go faster
Squeezing can also help to make the donation process go faster. This is because it can help to keep the blood flowing and prevent the donation from being interrupted. If the blood flow slows down or stops, the donation will have to be paused and the needle may have to be reinserted. Squeezing can help to prevent this from happening, which can make the donation process go more smoothly and quickly.
However, there are some potential drawbacks
Can cause pain
One of the main drawbacks of squeezing is that it can cause pain. This is especially true if you squeeze too hard. If you are feeling pain, stop squeezing and notify the staff member.
Can make the donation process more uncomfortable
Even if you don’t experience pain, squeezing can still make the donation process more uncomfortable. This is because it can put pressure on the vein and make it feel tight. If you are feeling uncomfortable, stop squeezing and notify the staff member.
Can increase the risk of bruising
Squeezing can also increase the risk of bruising. This is because it can damage the blood vessels in the area. If you are bruising easily, you may want to avoid squeezing.
Is not always effective
Even if you squeeze correctly, it may not be effective in keeping the blood flowing. This is because there are other factors that can affect blood flow, such as the size of your vein and your body temperature. If the blood flow is not flowing smoothly, even with squeezing, you may need to stop the donation and try again later.
Should not be used by everyone
There are some people who should not squeeze when donating plasma. These include people who have a fear of needles, people who have small veins, and people who have any other health concerns. If you are unsure whether or not you should squeeze, talk to your doctor or a plasma donation center staff member.
So while squeezing often helps, donors should do so in a controlled and moderate manner, only as instructed by the medical staff.
In summary, squeezing during plasma donation can help speed up the process and increase plasma yield for many donors. However, it is not suitable for all donors due to medical issues or small veins. Those who can squeeze should do so in a moderate and controlled manner as instructed by medical staff. With proper monitoring, venous augmentation remains a low-risk technique to boost donation efficiency. As with all aspects of donation, communication with medical personnel is key.
FAQs
Is it better to clench or make a loose fist while donating plasma?
A loose fist is generally recommended to avoid putting excessive pressure on veins which could cause damage.
How often should I squeeze the ball?
Medical staff will provide guidelines specific to each donor. As a general guideline, squeezing every 5-10 seconds in time with your breathing often works best.
Can I read or use my phone while donating plasma?
Yes! Many donors are able to squeeze the ball rhythmically while doing sedentary activities like reading, using a phone, or listening to music. This can help pass the time during the donation process.
