Background: The aim was to estimate the dynamics of change in blood collection and blood component production at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center (RCKiK) in Rzeszów versus the demand of blood and blood components in medical care units of the Podkarpacie Region/ /Poland in the period 2006–2012.

Material and methods: Analysis of data from annual reports prepared at RCKiK in Rzeszów.

Results: The number of blood donors or donors of blood components increased from 19 960 in 2006 to 26 914 in 2012 which translates into higher number of donations (a 31% increase; from 38 094 in 2006 to 49 847 in 2012). Whole blood collections were most common; apheresis plasma and platelet concentrates were collected less frequently. According to reports 37 932 whole blood donations were registered in 2006 and 48 609 in 2012 (a 28% increase). More than 2/3 of whole blood collections took place in satellite collection sites (OT) and 1/3 at RCKiK in Rzeszów as well as in mobile collections. The number of plasmapheresis procedures increased from 43 in 2006 to 559 in 2012. The highest number of plasmapheresis procedures (1219) was performed in 2011. A steady growth was observed for thrombapheresis procedures; from 119 in 2006 to 679 in 2012 (a 470% increase). An increase in number of units of blood and blood components supplied to medical care units in the Podkarpacie Region was reported for the 2006–2012 period; a 36% increase in red blood cell concentrate, a 120% increase in fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrate and a 2200% increase in cryoprecipitate. The RCKK in Rzeszów issued 8 540 512 ml of red blood cell concentrate in 2006 and 11 632 695 ml in 2012; 5 479 units and 10 966 units of fresh frozen plasma; 7 699 units and 16 908 units of platelet concentrate and 34 units and 780 units of cryoprecipitate respectively. In the period under analysis the number of units of apheresis platelet concentrate increased from 6,4% to 18,1% of the total platelet concentrate production. Additional preparation procedures such as leukocyte removal or irradiation were more frequently applied to platelet than to red blood cell concentrates. Leukocyte-depleted and/ /or irradiated platelet concentrates amounted to 56% of the total of platelet concentrate isued for clinical use (the totals were: 4 818 units in 2006, 10 718 units in 2011 and 9 364 units in 2012). Leukocyte-depleted and irradiated red blood cell concentrates amounted to merely 6% of the total of red blood cell concentrate issued for clinical use (the totals increased from 436 804 ml in 2006 to 910 574 ml in 2012).

Conclusions: In the period 2006–2012, the demand for blood and blood components in the Podkarpacie Region was met in full by the RCKiK in Rzeszów. The presented data illustrate the dynamics of change in the demand for blood and blood components in this region. These data may also serve as ground for prognosis of future changes.