Arkansas Blood Institute
[ 404='404' ]Arkansas Blood Institute Testing Blood Donations for COVID-19 Antibodies
Arkansas Blood Institute announced will provide free COVID-19 antibody tests for all blood donors eighteen and older. Arkansas Blood Institute is the first blood center in the state to offer COVID-19 antibody screening service to its donors.
This testing initiative, provided at all donor centers and mobile blood drives, comes in the wake of an immediate need for blood donations due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations. Healthy donors are urged to give blood, and appointments are encouraged to allow for recommended social distancing. Donors are also required to wear masks. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you.
Donors will receive information at the time of their donation regarding testing results notification. Donors may choose to be notified of their result by telehealth consult by Cura or its authorized agents, or they can access their result online at yourbloodinstitute.org (provided the donation was within the last 90 days). Please call 877-340-8777 or email customerservice@obi.org if you have a question about your result.
Arkansas Blood Institute’s medical laboratory technicians will test each blood sample. A tube will be drawn at the time of donation. Donors may opt out of the antibody test.*
“Our generous donors are answering the call to donate – coming out in force when the need for blood is great and ensuring that no patient goes without crucial transfusion care,” said John Armitage, president & CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “The antibody tests are a natural step in our commitment to the health of our lifesaving donors, and we are also very eager to help our state reopen medically and economically.”
Arkansas Blood Institute’s donor center and mobile blood drives have instituted additional cleaning methods, decontaminating work and common areas and equipment frequently. In addition, donor centers and mobile blood drives have been adapted to allow for social distancing. All phlebotomy staff will wear masks. Staff members and donors will also have their temperatures taken before starting work or entering the facility.
Arkansas Blood Institute is following safety recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Arkansas Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion.
Arkansas Blood Institute supports the inventory for patients in more than 40 hospitals across the state. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777, or clicking here to find a blood drive near you.
Or you can stop by one of our donor centers:
Fort Smith
Hot Springs
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Russellville
*To give blood, 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Must be 18 or older to receive antibody test. This test has not been reviewed by the FDA and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19. Donors ages 16 or 17-years old need parental consent to be screened for COVID-19 antibodies and are not eligible to donate convalescent plasma. Please download the antibody screening consent form here. This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) for use by authorized laboratories. The test has been authorized only for the detection of the IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. Blood drives will be managed according to CDC safety recommendations. Test results will be made available post-donation.
COVID-19: Arkansas Blood Institute Urges Donations Amid Concerns
Blood donation can’t wait.
Blood donation is safe and critically important, despite concerns surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19). Arkansas Blood Institute is, as always, committed to safety for our donors, patients, and communities, and we urge you to keep your scheduled appointments and continue to donate blood.
News: Arkansas Blood Institute Collecting Convalescent Plasma to Aid Local COVID-19 Patients
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reports no cases of COVID-19 transmitted through blood transfusion, and respiratory viruses generally are not known to be transmitted by blood transfusion.
“We need people to start turning out in force to give blood,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA.
Arkansas Blood Institute is following safety recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Arkansas Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion. Our donor centers and blood drives practice rigorous safety and cleanliness standards. As Arkansas Blood Institute monitors this rapidly developing situation, we will immediately inform the community about any changes in procedures or processes.
Arkansas Blood Institute’s donor centers and mobile blood drives have instituted additional cleaning methods, decontaminating work and common areas and equipment frequently. In addition, phlebotomy and donor services staff will wear masks and donor centers and mobile blood drives have been adapted to allow for social distancing.
We respectfully require donors to wear a mask in the donor area, as a courtesy to other donors and staff. If you don’t have a mask, please ask our staff and one will be provided for you. Thank you for your help in protecting others! All staff and donors will also have their temperatures taken before starting work or entering the facility. We are limiting the number of donors in the donor area, to allow for social distancing. If the donor area is full, please give us your cell phone number and we will call you when you’re ready to enter.
In an abundance of caution, we ask that donors refrain from giving blood if they have been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19, unless it’s been 14 days since the complete resolution of symptoms; or if they’ve tested positive for COVID-19, but never developed symptoms, unless it’s been 14 days since the positive test.
“Although COVID-19 is a new virus and more research is needed on how it spreads, current strategies for preventing and minimizing acute respiratory illnesses – including COVID-19 and the seasonal flu – remain relevant and timely,” said Tuan Le, M.D., chief medical officer of Arkansas Blood Institute.
Dr. Le stresses:
- Practice cough & sneeze etiquette
- Stay home when sick
- Clean hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your face after touching surfaces
As COVID-19 and resulting concerns continue to spread, additional challenges to the blood supply have occurred, including canceled and postponed blood drives. Arkansas Blood Institute depends on 1,200 donors per day to support the inventory needed for patients in more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide and across the region.
“Blood is a perishable product and we need constant donations not only to meet our community needs, but in case of local and national emergencies,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “We urge healthy adults to continue their regular blood donations so the lifesaving supply can be maintained for our local patients who depend on blood products during treatment for cancer, traumatic injuries and other life-threatening conditions.”
“During routine blood donation screening, we ask donors if they are feeling well and healthy at the time of their donation,” said Dr. Le. “We always ask that donors who are not feeling well refrain from giving blood until they’re healthy.”
Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or clicking here or visiting a donor center listed below:
Fort Smith
Hot Springs
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Russellville
*To give blood, 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds
Follow Arkansas Blood Institute’s social media platforms for developments on the situation:
