Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of using them to collect blood, are provided, by first ensuring that the patient's skin is properly cleaned, to prevent contamination of the collected blood. One feature is a blood collection device configured to collect blood from a patient. Another feature is a scrub timer integrated into the device and configured to indicate to a user a scrub time period prior to beginning a blood draw process. The scrub timer can be configured to audibly and/or visually indicate to a user the start and stop times of a scrub cleaning process. In one embodiment, the scrub timer can be restarted, either manually or automatically, if the scrub cleaning process is not followed properly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus collecting blood from patients and managing blood donations are provided, which may include any number of features. One feature is a blood collection device configured to collect blood from a patient and periodically transmit blood collection data from the device to a control system. Another feature is a system and method for updating firmware on a plurality of blood collection devices. In one embodiment, a software interface with a blood collection control can be used to specify a blood collection protocol, and the blood collection protocol can be then transmitted to one or more blood collection devices.