Plasma donation, while generally safe, can have side effects, and changes in donation locations reflect efforts to improve efficiency. Experts weigh in on these aspects of plasma donation.

Potential Side effects of Plasma Donation

According to Van Hasselt, replacing plasma, wich mainly involves water and proteins, is less taxing on the body compared to replacing blood cells. As a result, donors typically experience less fatigue after donating plasma.Unlike whole blood donation, where intense exercise is discouraged, plasma donors can resume such activities sooner.

Van den Hurk concurs, noting that while most donors feel fine, some may experience dizziness or fainting. Frequent plasma donors should also be aware of perhaps decreasing blood iron levels. Although plasma is the primary component being donated, small amounts of blood are taken for testing, and some red blood cells may remain in the collection equipment. “You also bei plasma donation veel vocht en eiwitten verliest, en dat de langetermijneffecten daarvan nog niet echt bekend zijn,” Van den Hurk added, highlighting that the long-term effects of fluid and protein loss are not yet fully understood.

Furthermore, frequent donations can significantly lower levels of immune proteins. In the Netherlands, donors are limited to 26 donations per year. However, in the United states, individuals can donate up to 104 times annually, a practice that raises concerns. “Mogelijk kunnen die lage eiwitgehaltes door zo veel doneren ertoe leiden dat je sneller ziek wordt,” van den Hurk cautioned, suggesting that very frequent donations leading to low protein levels might increase susceptibility to illness.This concern is a factor in Europe’s push for greater independence from plasma collected in the U.S.

Another consideration is that American donors are compensated for their donations. “Dat kan wrijving geven als iemand afhankelijk is van die inkomsten, maar om een gezondheidsrisico eigenlijk niet zou moeten doneren,” Van den Hurk stated, pointing out the potential conflict when individuals rely on donation income but may have health risks that should disqualify them.

“Het duurt langer om een donatie van plasma af te ronden, in vergelijking met volbloed.”

the Shift to Centralized Donation Centers

Van Hasselt explains that “Sanquin houdt de eigen broek op en krijgt geen subsidies van de overheid, dus moeten we goed kijken naar de efficiëntie van de inzameling,” emphasizing the need for efficiency in collection practices due to the association’s self-funded status.

Plasma donation takes longer than whole blood donation and requires specialized equipment and larger spaces to accommodate the same number of donors. Therefore,it is only efficient to set up donation centers in areas with a sufficient local population. “Het blijkt dat mensen tot 25 minuten reizen acceptabel vinden,” Van hasselt notes, indicating that a 25-minute travel time is generally considered acceptable for donors.

Consequently, establishing larger centers in densely populated areas is more efficient. While a mobile blood bank continues to operate, approximately fifteen locations in less populated areas have closed in recent years. Currently, there are about fifty central locations and forty mobile blood banks.