COVID-19 Information
Please call your provider’s office for questions about services and appointments as we work to ensure the safety of our patients, providers and community. If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or concerns about COVID-19 exposure, call your primary care office. In a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Donating Blood Platelets
COVID-19 Update (4/1/2020)
Until further notice during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baystate Health is relocating all blood and platelet donations to 361 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke on the 2nd floor. Donations are by appointment only. Please call us at (413)794-4600 to make an appointment.Donors should follow signs to the Education Center.
Additional protocols are being implemented during the coronavirus pandemic for the safety and health of donors, including:
- Prescreening donors
- Extra precautionary cleaning
- Spacing out donors to comply with social distancing and group gathering restrictions.
Per the FDA, Donors should refrain from blood donation for 28 days if they have:
- Cared for or lived with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19
- Been in close contact with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19
- Been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19
- Recently returned from international travel
Please contact the Baystate Health Blood Donor Center at 413-794-4600 with questions, to make an appointment, or notify us if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after your donation.
Making a difference
Just like blood donations, platelet donations are very important.
Platelet transfusions are often needed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy prevents the body from producing new blood cells to replace those that expire naturally, it is not unusual for such individuals to require dozens of platelet transfusions and other blood products are part of their treatment. Platelets can also be needed during surgery and in trauma care to help prevent or stop bleeding.
Platelet donation uses smaller needles than a traditional whole blood donation. The platelet apheresis machine draws blood from one arm through sterile tubing into another machine, which separates the red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells. The special tubing ensures your blood never comes in contact with the machine. Only the platelets are collected and the rest of your blood is returned to you along with some anticoagulant, which prevents blood clots. The amount of anticoagulant returned is not harmful to you.
Donors are able to give platelets every two weeks. Please do not take aspirin or ibuprofen 48 hours before your donation, eat a meal prior to donating and arrive well hydrated.