Amongst the Phlebophiles

It was time to give blood again this week and I spent Sunday afternoon surrounded by phlebophiles (it’s a made up word meaning vein-lovers but it sounds scientific enough).  I’m four pints further on from the last time I blogged about giving and with 26 pints I’m well into silver badge territory but still a long way from the beef dinner.

My impression is that the blood people are working ruthlessly to improve their processes, reduce infection and manage demand.  Some of their ideas seem whacky and bureaucratic but they have certainly cracked the flow of donors.  A few years ago you would go along to donate and wait your turn, maybe for an hour but now nearly everyone has a time slotted appointment, gets a letter and a reminder text meaning very little sitting around and a continuous flow of blood.

So there is always something interesting going on at the donor sessions and this time was no exception.  The surprise was that they had got rid of the beds and replaced them with new blood donation chairs.  Rather than lying down now you settle into an oversized baby seat which tilts back to put you in the perfect position for giving.  And it must have worked as I’d hardly had time to read a few pages of my book when the alarm went off and the nurse came over to tell me I was done.

‘That was quick’ I said to her. ‘Yes’ came the reply ‘4 minutes and 37 seconds, anything under 5 minutes is good.’

And now I know that my impressions are true in that there is a great focus on the flow through of both blood and people.  The fact the nurse could tell me how long I had taken means that his is a key measure and, like a F1 pit stop, every second saved here and there adds up to a huge improvement.

I replied to her that I wished she had not told me my time as it would make me try to beat it at my next visit.  She looked up from her paperwork and gave me a knowing smile that told me I had seen through their plan.  Perhaps they are aiming for the 4 minute pint.

I still miss the cheese Tucs though.