Blood Donor Database

[faultytowers]

When LivinLOS's friend was injured in a crash and required urgent blood transfusions , I posted a request on the asiaweb-direct site. Whether this resulted in any donors coming forward , I honestly don't know , but the idea was put forward to have a database of donors.

The following was posted on asiaweb-direct , and I personally think it is an excellent idea.

Blood Transfusions Database

Over the past two years Phuket International Hospital has developed a blood database for use in emergencies and is seeking people, particularly those with Rh negative and other rare blood groups to record their details on the database.

Within Phuket, Rh negative blood is rare. For the foreign population, around 16% has Rh negative blood. For the Thai population, this falls to .3%. In an emergency where Rh negative blood is required for transfusion, there is sometimes a shortage and an urgent call through the media is needed to get people to donate. An up to date database with emergency contact details will reduce the delay in getting access to urgently needed blood.

Phuket International Hospital will check your blood group for free and add your details to our database. This database is then provided to the Thailand Red Cross Blood Bank and other major hospitals in Phuket for use in emergencies.

For additional information, please contact Peter Davison at Phuket International Hospital email peter@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th

Your blood, particularly Rh negative blood is urgently needed. Get checked for free, get on the database.

This database is designed for those BMs who are living full time in Phuket , if other BMs wish to help , then visit the hospital when you are on holiday and donate some blood.

Please remember , LivinLOS's friend would have died if blood donors had not been prepared to take a little bit of time and go to the hospital.

[Crustasian]

Myself and K2 discussed the possibility of all BMs doing this.Someone else pointed out that if alcohol has been consumed within the past 24 hours it would be invalidated - is that true?

What if all BMs supplied their blood group somewhere in their personal profile - or is that too intrusive?

I personally would be happy to donate blood anytime they need it.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Someone else pointed out that if alcohol has been consumed within the past 24 hours it would be invalidated - is that true?

If that was the case , I'd never have been able to give blood. They won't take blood if you turn up drunk , and also not a very good idea to go with a raging hangover (you will probably faint !!!! or throw-up ).

They are not going to breathalyze you , so pop along in the afternoon and you will be O.K.

Originally posted by Crustasian

What if all BMs supplied their blood group somewhere in their personal profile - or is that too intrusive?

It wouldn't do any harm , but I don't really think it would be practical. The majority of BMs are only out for a few weeks a year , and if blood was needed urgently , who would be able to check all the profiles.

I do think it is a very good idea for BMs living in Phuket to get their name and details on the database , then if there is a "desperate" shortage of blood , the hospital will know who is available.

There is nothing to stop any BM from going along to the hospital one day and donating blood, you never know , it could be you who needs it next time.

[fun2have]

always been a blood donor, but have spent so much time in the "window" due to work over the last decade i have virtually stopped donating.

for example mine which is "o neg" is found in about 8% of the caucausian population and about 1.5 % of thais, so if i was on holiday i would have no problem donating blood.

when stickman called on his site last year for o neg donations, i was in los but could not donate, due to being in the "window" due to an incident at work.

[LivinLOS]

I actually suggested making a simple expat databse and getting it online so people could register if they were islands residents in another thread..

The sad fact is they are supposed to have a databse in Wachira anyway but anything thats is needed you just get that blank stare and "mai loo" answer again..

Someone really should put this forward.

[urtheman]

Wachira calls me almost every month for blood (A- type) but they don't really seem to stock up on the stuff as when you go in the have the refrig and you can see it's empty.

I have given five times at Wachira the first time was right after the Tsunami.

I think each expat if they want there should be a database on this forum especially for negative type blood.

Any thoughts Nicke?

Cheers!

Robert

[stevem]

It's an interesting question, but very few people actually know their blood type. It is something that is really useful to know, and perhaps should be recorded in your passport or even on your drivers license.

[Nicke]

I can create a database here on this forum/website for this purpose.

It is only negative that is needed? Should we register everyone who want to help of all kinds of blood types?

I have A+ I guess and I have no idea if it is common or not.

And a flag in the database for local expats and another flag for BMs who visit Phuket once in a while, but if lucky, they may be here when needed.

Originally Posted by urtheman

Wachira calls me almost every month for blood (A- type) but they don't really seem to stock up on the stuff as when you go in the have the refrig and you can see it's empty.

I have given five times at Wachira the first time was right after the Tsunami.

I think each expat if they want there should be a database on this forum especially for negative type blood.

Any thoughts Nicke?

Cheers!

Robert

[Sirgezza]

If it's only A- that they are short of, the best thing is for all BMs to find out what their blood group is and if they are A-, donate blood some time during their stay.

This ensures that the hospital will have a good stock whenever it is required. No need to start chasing round the island in times of emergency.

The people most likely to benefit are the donors themselves.

[ibefree]

I am a regular blood donater and feel that this is a very good idea. I dont know if a data base of the BM blood types would be to usefull as most are not in LOS but for a short time.

I do agree with LIL about donating. If every BM where to donate each time they were in LOS it could go a long way to help preventing shortages.

I am O neg.

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by ibefree

I do agree with LIL about donating. If every BM where to donate each time they were in LOS it could go a long way to help preventing shortages.

I am O neg.

Excellent idea LIL - I wish I'd have thought of that

[DREW]

Originally Posted by Nicke

I can create a database here on this forum/website for this purpose.

It is only negative that is needed? Should we register everyone who want to help of all kinds of blood types?

I have A+ I guess and I have no idea if it is common or not.

And a flag in the database for local expats and another flag for BMs who visit Phuket once in a while, but if lucky, they may be here when needed.

Nicke

This is a copy of the email I received from the Hospital asking about donations. I am A- which is rae so I am planning to donate on my next trip.

I am a regular Blood Donator in the UK and providing you are fit and healthy, anyone can give blood, regardless of what you ate or drank the day before.

Regards

Drew

Dear Drew

Thank you for your kind offer to donate blood.

Phuket International Hospital maintains a blood donors database for residents here in Phuket which gives us immediate access to potential donors. More information can be obtained from http://www.phuket-inter-hospital.co.th/blooddonor.htm Genrally only long stay potential donors are added to the list.

During your trip in June, and if you still want to donate, please contact the Red Cross Blood Bank directly, which is located at Vachira Hospital in Phuket Town on the third floor. You should not need to make an appointment, just turn up, provide your details and they will collect the donation immediately.

Best regards

Peter Davison
Manager International Services
Phuket International Hospital
44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd
Phuket Thailand 83000
Tel (0) 76 249400
Fax (0) 76 210936

[Sirgezza]

Is the blood screened for STDs? The rate amongst holidaying BMs might be a bit higher than the usual

[Denver]

I do remember years ago while in the Falklands that one lad who had a particularly rare blood type had to send four pints of his own blood to the hospital down in Stanley. They kept it in the fridge there for his 6 month stint as the likely-hood of finding anyone down there with his blood type were remote to nil. It went back to the UK with him at the end of his tour.

I also see lots of ex-squaddie types with tattoos on their arms denoting thier blood type. However, I was told recently that even with the tattoo, medical staff are always going to do a blood test before giving you anymore. Tattoo or not! Perhaps Faulty can comment on that one.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Denver

I also see lots of ex-squaddie types with tattoos on their arms denoting thier blood type. However, I was told recently that even with the tattoo, medical staff are always going to do a blood test before giving you anymore. Tattoo or not! Perhaps Faulty can comment on that one.

We would never assume that the tattoo was correct , blood would always be sent to the lab for cross-matching. Most squaddies would also have dog-tags which could be used to access medical records and check blood group on medical files.

[shark1963]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Myself and K2 discussed the possibility of all BMs doing this.Someone else pointed out that if alcohol has been consumed within the past 24 hours it would be invalidated - is that true?

What if all BMs supplied their blood group somewhere in their personal profile - or is that too intrusive?

I personally would be happy to donate blood anytime they need it.

I allready agreed in a post before to add my blood group to my profile and suggested for the expads and BM´s doing it like the donations here in germany, like an event doing it on a regualar base. Could be funny i.e. with a BBQ at the evening?!

[Denver]

Originally Posted by faultytowers

We would never assume that the tattoo was correct , blood would always be sent to the lab for cross-matching. Most squaddies would also have dog-tags which could be used to access medical records and check blood group on medical files.

I still have my old Tags and wear them here, one on my boot and one around my neck, at least they have a chance of finding one of them! - Still O Pos.

The fact that I have Hepatitis from my murky past has prevented me from being a blood donor, even though I am a strong supporter of the practise.

Apparently, anyone getting my blood would have a bad time of it! I can take but cannot give! Jeez, I sounded just like my ex-wife there for a second.

Not sure of the benefits of the BM's putting their blood group on thier profiles really has much use! Realistically, what proportion of the Forums BM's are in Phuket at any one time! The idea of donating a couple of pints on your next trip over seems like a good one to me though!

[Nicke]

The problem may be solved very soon, scientists from various countries have found a way to "wash" various blood types to O blood which can be used by everyone, according to Nature Biotechnology April issue.

[urtheman]

Vachira does have a list of people on the island who have given blood.

There are 40 A- types on the list for the whole island and some are hard to get a hold of.

AB- blood since it's rarer I have no idea about their numbers and such or if they can recieve A-.

They called me last week to remind me that three months are up and they want their pint.

[Nicke]

AB is rare but people with AB can receive from both A and B types, shouldnt be any problem.

Originally Posted by urtheman

AB- blood since it's rarer I have no idea about their numbers and such or if they can recieve A-.

[visa2003]

I used to be a regular blood donor until I had some heart problems and after the Tsunami, I actually had my blood group tattooed on my arm, thinking I may save myself another hole in my arm, but Faulty is right they will take a sample anyway, just to check!!!!!
Another problem I have is that they will no longer take my blood here, so giving blood in LOS would probably be a non-event!!!( I am so full of blood altering drugs that I may kill someone!!!)

[Denver]

Scientists have developed a way of converting one blood group into another.

The technique potentially enables blood from groups A, B and AB to be converted into group O negative, which can be safely transplanted into any patient.

BBC NEWS | Health | Blood groups 'can be converted' Here's the link. Worth a quick read!