5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  The author began pathology residency at North Shore University Hospital in July 2001 and was working in surgical pathology on September 11.

• 2

  After donating plasma and platelets, the author developed tingling, numbness, shivering, muscle cramps, nausea, and a slow-feeling heartbeat.

• 3

  A nurse treated the reaction by slowing the collection machine, providing milk and a blanket, and asking the author to breathe slowly into a paper bag.

• 4

  The author later learned that citrate used as an anticoagulant can bind calcium and temporarily lower ionized calcium levels during component donation.

• 5

  After reports of mailed anthrax spores, the author wrote six articles on bioterrorism agents and shared them with Chinese media and at departmental Grand Rounds.