Why do we screen donors using Hematocrit?
For the purposes of screening donors for blood donation, a hematocrit level is determined in order to evaluate a donor’s general red cell status. This screening test is used to determine if a potential donor has an adequate supply of red blood cells. Our minimum acceptable value of hematocrit is set at a level to assure that donating a unit of blood will not adversely affect the donor’s red cell status. If a donor’s hematocrit level falls below our minimum value, we are unable to collect a unit that day, so the donor is deferred. It is important to remember that the Hematocrit reading taken at the blood bank is a “snapshot” of your red cell status at one particular moment. It is normal for hematocrit values to vary from day to day or even hour to hour. Blood banks would not want to remove blood from a donor who’s red cells could become depleted by the donation process. We never want to jeopardize a donor’s health through the donation process. And we always want to encourage donors to t
