What proportion of donors have hematocrits high enough to qualify them to donate a full 500 mL of whole blood?
A colleague wonders if blood collection centers have determined the percentage of donors who qualify to donate a full 500 mL of whole blood, rather than the more traditional 450 mL. In addition, the inquiring colleague is wondering about the distribution of donors who make 500 mL donations, in relationship to their hematocrit. For example, what percentage of donors with a hematocrit of 38% make a 500 mL donation versus a hematocrit of 39, vs 40, etc. Another way of looking at this question would be what percentage of donors who donate 500 mL of whole blood, have a hematocrit greater than 38 vs 39 vs 40% etc.
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