Support Services

Stony Brook University Medical Center offers the following special services:

 

Blood Bank

"ENRICH YOUR LIFE...SHARE IT WITH OTHERS"

Did you know thousands of people in the United States receive blood every day and their lives are either saved, prolonged or quality of life is improved. These people receive blood from unselfish strangers that they never meet. Won't you please consider becoming one of these strangers who help so many people?

The need for blood and platelets is a constant one locally and nationally. When disaster or emergency occurs it is blood on the shelf that is desperately needed, new donations require days to be tested before becoming available for transfusion.  When you donate blood, your precious gift is given directly to a patient in need.

Stony Brook University Medical Center, along with other Suffolk County hospitals, uses tens of thousands of units of blood each year. According to Dennis K. Galanakis, MD, chief of Blood Services at Stony Brook University Medical Center, "Less than five percent of people in the US who are able to donate actually do donate."

We welcome the members of the community to become donors and are extremely grateful to all of our employees, friends from the community and students who assist our Blood Bank.

Donation Programs

  • Platelet Donations
  • Autologous Donations
  • For a Patient in Need
  • Direct Donations

Blood Donation FAQ's

Who can donate?

  • Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • Donors must be in good health and feel well on the day of donation.
  • All donors must show a photo ID at the time of donation.

 How often can I donate?

  • Whole Blood donors may donate every 8 weeks. There are different waiting times for other types of donation:
  • Platelets-every 3 days.

Is it safe to give blood?

  • Yes! The needle and bags used to collect the blood are used only once, then discarded. You cannot get HIV or other infectious diseases from donating blood.

May I eat before I donate?

  • Yes. It is very important to drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal within 4 hours before donating. It is also important to have a good night's sleep before donating.

What should I bring with me when I come to donate?

  • You must show a photo ID, such as a Driver's License. In addition, it is helpful if you bring the following:
    • A list of medications you are taking.
    • A list of places you have visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years.

How long does it take to donate?

  • It takes about an hour to go through the steps to donate Whole Blood and a little longer for other donation types:
    • Registration. Give us your name, date of birth, address and other demographic information.
    • Medical Screening. Answer confidential medical history questions and have a finger stick to get an hemoglobin check from a drop of blood. Also have a blood pressure, temperature and pulse check.
    • Blood Donation. Donate a unit of blood through a needle in your arm in about 10 minutes. This step may be longer for different donation types.
    • Snacks. Stay 15 minutes and enjoy refreshments.

Does it hurt?

  • There is a little sting when the needle is inserted, but you should be comfortable during the donation.

How will I feel after I donate?

  • Most people feel fine after donation. You will enjoy refreshments after you donate and we will instruct you to drink plenty of fluids for the next 24 hours.


NOTE: When you donate at the Stony Brook University Medical Center Blood Bank you receive individualized attention from a registered nurse, in a personable environment.

Can I exercise right after donating?

  • Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for about 24 hours after donation. Most donors can resume normal activity after that time.

Is my blood tested before it is used?

  • Every time you donate, blood samples are taken for testing. These tests include your blood type and testing for viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV. If your blood tests show that your blood may make someone sick, it will not be used and you are notified.

Why do I have to answer the same medical history questions every time I donate?

  • To make sure that we are providing the patient with the safest possible blood, the FDA requires that we ask about your medical history every time you donate.

What blood type is the universal donor?

  • Type O- is the universal donor and can give red blood cells to any other blood type.
  • Type AB+ is the universal recipient and can receive red blood cells from any other blood type.
  • Type AB- is the universal plasma donor and can give plasma to any other blood type.

What is the most common blood type?

  • This is an average distribution of the blood types in the United States. The distribution may be different for specific ethnic groups:
    • O Rh-positive - 38 percent
    • O Rh-negative - 7 percent
    • A Rh-positive - 34 percent
    • A Rh-negative - 6 percent
    • B Rh-positive - 9 percent
    • B Rh-negative - 2 percent
    • AB Rh-positive - 3 percent
    • AB Rh-negative - 1 percent

How much blood do I have in my body?

  • As a rule, women have approximately 10 pints and men have approximately 12 pints of blood.

What do the different blood components do?

  • Plasma: Fluid portion of blood, contains water, albumin, hormones and clotting factors.
  • Red Cells: Carry oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs.
  • White Cells: Protect against disease and infections.
  • Platelets:Small plate-shaped cells that cluster together to help form blood clots when bleeding occurs.

Where does my blood go after I donate?

  • After you donate, your unit of Whole Blood is divided into different components and transfused into patients who need the specific component. Some examples of how your blood is used are:
    • Auto Accident: 50 units.
    • Heart Surgery: 60 Red Cells, 2 Platelets from Automated Collection.
    • Organ Transplant: 10-40 Red Cells, 5-10 Platelets, 20 Cryoprecipitate, 25 Fresh Frozen Plasma.
    • Bone Marrow Transplant: 20 Red Cells, 25-100 Platelets.
    • Burn - 3rd Degree: 20 Red Blood Cells 20 Platelets.

What blood type is needed the most?

  • All blood types are needed for blood donation. We often have requests for the following:
    • All donation types - Whole Blood and Platelets.
    • AB donors - Plasma.
    • O, A and B donors - Red Cells.

Does the Stony Brook Blood University Blood Bank pay donors?

  • The Stony Brook University Blood Bank depends on the generosity of volunteer donors. Since studies have shown that the safest blood comes from volunteer donors.

Make a Blood Bank Appointment

Stony Brook University Blood Bank is located on the 5th Floor of the University Hospital.

The Blood Bank is open six days a week.
 
Appointments are available on Weekdays, Weeknights, and Saturday mornings.

Stony Brook University Medical Center Blood Bank is open 6 days a week as follows:
Monday-Friday 7:45am-8pm
Saturday 8:45am-4pm

To make an appointment simply call us at:
631.444.DONATE (631.444.3662)

For more information click and view our pdf file.

Life Is Beautiful. Give The Gift Of Life. Please Donate.

Volunteers provide 90% all of the Nation's blood supply. People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community spirit.

Please join us in our mission of encouraging donors to give at least twice per year, to strengthen the Nation's blood supply.

Contact Blood Bank

Telephone
(631) 444-DONATE (631.444.3662)

Fax
(631) 444-3137

Postal Address
Stony Brook University Medical Center Blood Bank Level 5 - Suite 5000
Stony Brook, New York 11794-7530

Electronic Mail
Jennifer.Peace@stonybrook.edu
 

Social Work

We realize that our patients and their families are often faced with new decisions. University Hospital offers free discharge planning to help answer any questions about topics such as lifestyle and financial situations.

Visit the Department of Social Work Services  

Spiritual Care

Stony Brook chaplains are members of the "healthcare team". Mindful of the dignity of every person, chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, their families, the hospital staff, students and faculty.

As an Interfaith team, the mission of each chaplain is to care for people of all faiths and traditions, to help patients, their families and friends cope with illness, and to assist those making difficult healthcare decisions.

Our chaplains are companions who will listen; someone with whom you can share your burden. They are available to those experiencing loneliness or anxiety, for anyone dealing with loss, long-term illness, trauma or death. Pastoral care may include prayer, counseling, sacramental services and worship.

In addition to making routine visits on assigned units, our chaplaincy staff provides continuing pastoral education through workshops, acts as liason for community groups, participates in the orientation of new employees and medical students, plans, prepares and presides at seasonal and memorial services, and makes contact with local clergy upon request. Further, our chaplains promote cooperative understanding between hospital personnel and religious groups.

For daytime services, chaplains are on duty Monday to Friday and are accessible through beepers. For evening and weekend services, or should an emergency arise, our services are covered by an on-call chaplain.

The Interfaith Meditation Chapel is open 24 hrs. and provides a quiet space for prayer and religious services. It is located in the main lobby (level 5) near the Information Desk. If you are in need of these services, please call 631-444-7775, or send an email to SpiritualCare. 

Accomodations

Name and AddressPhoneMiles from
Medical Center
Holiday Inn Express
3131 Nesconset Hwy, Stony Brook, NY		(631) 471-80003.37
Heritage Inn At Port Jefferson
201 W Broadway (Rt 25a), Port Jefferson, NY		(631) 928-24004.1
Danford's Inn
25 E Broadway (Rt 25a), Port Jefferson, NY		(631) 928-52004.34
Three Village Inn
150 Main St, Stony Brook, NY		(631) 751-05554.36
Ransome Inn (B & B)
409 E Broadway (Rt 25a), Port Jefferson, NY		(631) 474-50194.91
Econo Lodge
755 Smithtown Bypass (Rt 347), Smithtown, NY		(631) 724-90007.17
Terryville Motor Lodge
1371 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station, NY		(631) 928-59008
Residence Inn by Marriott
25 Middle Ave, Holtsville, NY		(631) 475-95009.66
Hampton Inn Brookhaven
2000 N. Ocean Ave., Farmingville, NY		(631) 732-730010
Radisson Hotel Holtsville
1730 North Ocean Avenue, Holtsville, NY		(631) 758-290010.5
Courtyard by Marriott
5000 Express Drive S, Ronkonkoma, NY		(631) 612-500011.37
Miller Place Ark B & B
179 N Country Rd, Miller Place, NY		(631) 474-189811.37
Hyatt Regency Wind Watch Hotel
1717 (Vanderbilt LI) Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY		(631) 232-980011.62
Islandia Marriott Long Island
3635 Express Dr N, Hauppauge, NY		(631) 232-300011.98

Translation Services

Interpreters skilled in sign language, foreign language and the New World Language Line are available to assist patients with communication on health-related issues. These services may be accessed through the nurses on staff, the hospital switchboard or the Department of Patient/Guest Relations. 

Support Groups

Visit the Support Groups web page. 

Patient Guest Relations

Our Pledge
We pledge to extend every effort to make our patients and their families experience at Stony Brook University Medical Center as comfortable and satisfactory as possible. The department of Patient Guest Relations is staffed by patient representatives who are available to help with matters concerning hospitalization, answer questions, listen to suggestions, opinions and address many non medical needs. Patient representatives are available to all inpatients, outpatients and Emergency Department patients Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. Listed below are some of the services patient representatives provide to patients and family.

Our Services

  • Act on behalf of patients in seeking solutions for special needs, problems, or concerns of patients, family members and visitors.
  • Answer any questions you may have about your rights and responsibilities as a hospital patient.
  • Answer questions regarding the Healthcare Proxy Law and offer assistance in formulating a healthcare proxy.
  • Address questions concerning services of the Ethics Committee.
  • Assist in obtaining sign language and foreign language interpreters.
  • Receive your compliments or suggestions about staff and service.
  • Provide information on local accommodations, transportation, parking, maps.
  • Visit while you are in the hospital to ensure a pleasant stay and enhance patient comfort.
  • Provide links to other services within the hospital.

Contact a Patient Representative
The Patient Representative can be reached by dialing Stony Brook University Medical Center extension 4-2880 from inside the Hospital or by calling (631) 444-2880 through an outside line or by asking your nurse to contact the Patient Representative.

We recognize that being ill and in the hospital can be a difficult time for patients and families and assure you of our commitment to offer our assistance should the need arise. 

Other Services

Other available services include child life coordinators, gift shop, flowers & mail delivery, lost & found, notary public, and private duty nurses. If you are in need of any of these services, please contact 631-444-4000 

Last updated by Webmaster on August 24, 2009

© 2007 Stony Brook University Medical Center
http://www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/
East Loop Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
631-444-4000

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