Department of Blood Donation

The Blood Donation Service of our Hospital was founded in 1958, by the late Amalia Kartsona -Vassilounis, who headed the operation (as Director, of the relevant department) and organized one of the first Blood Donation stations in the country.

Subsequently, during the tenure of Directorship of Mrs. V. Michail – Merianou, an information system was implemented for the first time in the country’s Blood Donation, adapted to the requirements of National Blood Donation System , with the parallel integration of all used immunohematology and laboratory compatibility diagnostic analyzers.

The next innovations implemented were the Quality Management System (QMS) and the ISO EN 9001:2000 commencing as of April 2003. This was regularly followed by successful evaluations conducted by International competent bodies with the latest updated version of the Quality Certificate (no. 030-02-100-00937/3).

In the area of quality and documented adequacy, our Blood Donation (the first in the country) was accredited for all laboratory tests it carried out. The Accreditation certificate with no. 1043 (07/01/2016) was granted by the National Accreditation Organization – National Accreditation System (ESYD.) After successful re-evaluations on 08/10/2020 and 28/02/2022, the validity of the Certificate was extended until 31/12/2024. The Scope of Accreditation is posted on the ESYD website.

Opening hours for Blood Donation
The Blood Donation Department is located on the ^3rd floor of the Hospital “KONSTANTOPOULEIO-PATISSION’’, in NEA IONIA. The operating hours of the blood collection room are 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every day except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Blood donors must necessarily present documents that prove their identity, (such as Police ID or Passport or Health Book or Residence Permit or Driver’s License).

CONTACT:

Telephones: 2132057304-5

Email: aimodosia@konstantopouleio.gr

Activities
The highly trained health visitors welcome the blood donors and carry out the blood draws, according to highest hygiene standards, in a pleasant, and friendly environment. At the same time, participating in the organization’s “Vision of Hope, Volunteer Bone Marrow Donor Bank” program, the health visitors collect samples from the blood donors we have properly informed and eventually attracted.

Our Blood Donation Department carries out planned activities to 20 voluntary blood donor associations outside the Hospital. The number of blood units collected is at about 6500 per year.

Also, our Blood Donation Department, supports through medical and nursing staff the organized blood donation activities of the Ministry of National Defense.

The Department’s Medical Laboratory Technologists, who also staff the functionally independent Immunohematology Laboratory, carry out daily the determination of the blood group of each patient, the control for the presence of other- and auto-erythrocyte antibodies (indirect and direct Coombs) and extensive phenotyping (in addition to ABO, Rh, Kell) of blood units and patients, when required. Incidents of incompatibility (for inpatients and outpatients) are also investigated and resolved by applying specialized methods and relevant technics. Finally, the authorized staff of the Immunohematology Laboratory conducts regular internal and external quality control (UK NEQAS) for the tests included in the Official Scope of Accreditation.

The Compatibility Laboratory operates 24 hours/day and is staffed by specialized nurses who carry out the Compatibility test for the safe administration of blood in the transfusion needs of patients.

The nursing staff, also manages the stocks of blood and blood products and forwards them to E.K.E.A. and in other Blood Donation Services of the country.

In our Blood Donation Department, a Hospital Committee for Transfusion Medicine operates with the aim of formulating Transfusion Therapy strategies in our Hospital, according to the internationally applied Patient Blood Management (PBM).

Blood Donation Staffing

Medical service:
Doctors: