FREQUENTLY Asked Questions

 The Mount Sinai Health System, in collaboration with Emergent BioSolutions and ImmunoTek Bio Centers, has established a Plasma Collection Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital to advance the development of such a potential therapeutic. The center will collect plasma rich in SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. The plasma will be purified into hyperimmune globulin, which will be used in clinical research trials at Mount Sinai and elsewhere to test its ability to potentially help prevent and treat COVID-19.

Plasmapheresis is an automated donation process that takes about 45 minutes. While performing a series of cycles and using only sterile disposables, the PCS machine separates plasma from the red blood cells and ultimately returns the cells back to your body. The amount of plasma that you donate will depend on your weight and hematocrit, or the volume of red blood cells in your blood.

During your first visit, you will be screened, given a questionnaire with 60 questions which will take approximately 30min to complete. You will also receive a physical examination and fingerstick to determine if you are medically capable of donating on that day. The entire process, including plasma donation, will take approximately three (3) hours. All following visits will be much shorter.

Prior to each donation, you will answer a medical history questionnaire. You must give truthful responses about injuries, illnesses, operations, medications, medical treatments, and body art such as tattoos and piercings. Your answers will be kept confidential. This screening will protect your health, as well as the health of patients who receive life-saving medicines. Giving false answers about your medical history can lead to an indefinite deferral.

Because plasma is replaced by your body in a few days, you’re eligible to donate no more than two times in a seven-day period but must wait at least one day between donations. You cannot donate two consecutive days. Please keep in mind, you can only donate up to 8 times.

You must bring one (1) form of primary identification and one (1) form of secondary identification. Requirements for identification include: current (not expired), clear and legible text/photo that matches the donor’s appearance, and as listed in the acceptable forms of identification sections below: 

Acceptable Forms of Primary Identification:

• U.S. Government-Issued Social Security Card (An electronic picture from a smartphone or device is acceptable).
• Government-Issued document with donor’s name and SSN. Note: the document must indicate the number is the SSN. SSNs displayed on forms as “claim numbers” or other labels are not acceptable.
• Paycheck stub or W-2 income statement issued by the employer (electronic or paper).
• A printout of SSN from Watchdog indicating a match to full name.

Acceptable Forms of Secondary Identification:

• A valid state issued driver's license or identification card. A paper printer copy given by the DMV is acceptable.
• military identification or other government issued identification, such as resident alien card, passports, or other legal documents intended to establish a person's identity.
• Employer issued ID (as issued by the employer).
• Donor's presented picture identification must match the donor's appearance.

The donor must wear loose fitting clothing that allows the Physician Substitute to perform a comprehensive physical examination. 

A donor is eligible to donate on his / her 18th birthday and may continue to to be eligible for donation until her / her 66th birthday.

During your donation, you must stake away and avoid touching the PCS machine. If at any time you do not feel well, notify a staff member immediately.  

Before you donate, avoid consuming alcohol and fried or fatty foods. We recommend that you eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water. This can help prevent a reaction and ensure a pleasant donation. Consuming fried foods within 12 hours of donating can cause fatty plasma conditions. Fatty plasma cannot be used to make life-saving medicines and could cause you to be deferred for the day. 

Once the PCS collects the right amount of plasma, you’ll receive 500 mL of Saline to help replace the fluids removed during your donation. After donation, your venipuncture site will be bandaged. The site should remain bandaged for at least 2 hours and should be kept clean and dry. Please do not touch or pick at the venipuncture site. 

 While rare, there's a possibility of an adverse event that may occur after donation. 

Your plasma will be tested for: HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, protein levels, and other tests. Any positive test results for infectious disease require permanent deferral from further plasma donations. There is a possibility of a ‘false positive’ or ‘false negative’ test result. If we receive positive test results for any of your donations, we will send you a notification letter. The letter will request that you visit our facility to receive counseling and information about the test result 

Because we are very grateful for the commitment to plasma donation and appreciate the time commitment donors have made, we are now offering $150 compensation for donors at the second donation and $50 for each subsequent donation.

• antibiotics for an infection (within the last 14 days)
• Plavix or Ticlid in the last 14 days (bold thinner)
• Soriatane in the last 3 years (for severe psoriasis)
• Tegison, ever (for severe psoriasis)
• Avodart or Jalyn in the last 6 months (for enlarged prostate)
• Proscar, Propecia, Absorica, Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret, Zenatane in the last
• month (for severe acne, baldness)
• Coumadin, Effient, or Brilinta in the last 7 days (blood thinner)
• Rescue inhaler regularly to control asthma symptoms
• Erivedge within 24 months (for Basal cell skin cancer)

You cannot donate if  you are currently, or have been pregnant in the last 6 months.

You cannot donate.

You cannot donate.

You cannot donate if you are on medications for any seizure disorders.

You cannot if you take insulin for Diabetes. Type 2 diabetics can donate as long as they do not require insulin.

Type 1 diabetics cannot donate.

You cannot donate if you had exposure to anyone within the last 12 months.

You cannot donate.

You cannot donate if you have been tested positive for HIV.

You cannot donate if you have been treated for syphilis gonorrhea within the last 12 months or have had sexual contact with any of the above. 

The COVID Plasma Donation Center is located at 1440 Madison Ave. Directly on the corner of 99th street, on Madison Ave. Near the 96th Street and 103rd Street #6 train stations.

Yes. You can ask for your parking validation at the check-out desk once you have completed your plasma donation. There is a parking lot located at 98 E. 99th street, SP+ Parking.