Pre-operative Autologous Donation (PAD) is the collection and storage of a patient's own blood. This is usually done 3 or 4 weeks before an operation.

	In order to increase the volume of blood collected and stored, sometimes supplements and medications such as Erythropoietin (EPO) are given to stimulate the production of red blood cells.
	Not all patients can pre-donate blood. Those in poor health, or with serious heart disease are advised not to pre-donate. Jehovah's Witnesses do not pre-donate their blood.
	Pre-operative donated blood is subject to the same complications as stored allogeneic blood. Including: It may have a decreased ability to release oxygen There may be resultant breakdown products It quickly loses its clotting factors There is a risk of bacterial infection

Note: This technique is no longer recommended as routine. For further information see:
Better Blood Transfusion Toolkit - PAD

LEARNING GUIDE To be sure to pass the test on 4.4, Pre-operative Autologous Donation, make sure you understand what it is, its limitations and potential complications