Blood collection work can be challenging. Nurses responsible for locating a vein with a needle must maintain a relaxed and pleasant demeanour to ease blood donors’ anxiety about the process. Such nurses also require a high level of focus and proficiency in techniques they use to locate the vein, in order to ensure donors are willing to donate blood in the future.

To ensure the usefulness of the blood donated, medical laboratory technologists must process the required blood components within a specified time. They separate and prepare blood into different components such as concentrated red blood cells, concentrated platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate, and other components; and store them in devices at different temperatures for use in patient transfusions.

Medical laboratory technologists must ensure that the receipt, separation, labelling, and storage of each unit of blood are respectively done according to established procedures. The Blood Donation Transfusion Service has also introduced automated blood separation devices to enhance quality and efficiency in the processing of blood or blood components.

Medical laboratory technologists handle blood samples with care, putting them through a centrifuge and then refrigerating them prior to testing them. The Blood Donation Transfusion Service labels blood samples according to international standards to ensure the accurate transmission of sample information and test results during the procedures.

The Blood Donation Transfusion Service uses accurate, highly sensitive, fully automated analysers for blood typing, microbiological serology, and nucleic acid testing, thereby enhancing work efficiency.

Medical laboratory technologists carefully create an inventory prior to storage of blood components. This ensures the quality of blood components meets various standards. Blood has a shelf life. For example, platelets must be used within five days. This means the Blood Donation Transfusion Service requires fresh blood every day.

The Blood Donation Transfusion Service has established a comprehensive quality management system that meets international standards. This system regulates, controls, and supervises the entire process of donor registration, as well as blood and blood component collection, testing, preparation, storage, supply, and distribution. These steps are to ensure blood safety is maintained.

Blood donation is made possible via a mobile unit, with visits to various districts every month to provide convenience to donors.

Each year, 2.7 percent of Macao residents eligible to donate blood, do so. Local supply of blood all comes from voluntary donations, indicating a high awareness of blood donation among residents, and ensuring an adequate blood supply for patients in need.