Blood transfusion service in Poland in 2021

Streszczenie

Background: The aim of this study was to present the basic aspects of the activity of Polish transfusion blood service (hereinafter referred to as Centers) in 2021, taking into account the conditions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Analysis of data forwarded to the Institute by the Polish Blood Transfusion Centers (Centers). Results: In 2021, there were 23 Centers and 136 local collection sites opeerating in Poland. Blood and blood components were also collected during 11 150 mobile collections. The overall numer of blood donors was estimated at 615 784, the majority of which were non-remunerated donors (615 425, including 40 059 responders to donation appeals) as well as 45 remunerated donors and 313 autologous donors. Most frequent were whole blood collections (1 248 585 donations), and the least frequent — granulocyte concentrate collections (104 donations) and RBC collections by apheresis (26 donations). Whole blood was collected mostly in local collection sites (49.01%), less frequently in Centers (31%) and during mobile collections (19.99%). The most frequently prepared blood components were RBCs (1 231 538 units) and FFP (1 425 640 units). COVID-19 convalescent plasma was also collected (87 071 units altogether). In 2021, a total of 85 677 units of PCs pooled from whole blood and 52 346 units of PCs from apheresis were prepared. Additional processing methods (leukocyte depletion, irradiation) were more frequently applied to PCs (49.57% leukodepleted, 50.43% both leuko-depleted and irradiated), than to RBCs (20.61% leukodepleted , 10.05% both leukodepleted and irradiated, 0.04% irradiated). Pathogen reaction technologies were applied to 15.64% of FFP units issued for clinical use and 12.53% of PCs. For various reasons the following amounts of blood components were wasted in 2021: 12 403 units of whole blood, 32 866 units of RBCs, 55 058 units of FFP, 1598 units of apheresis PCs, 5317 units of pooled PCs and 1506 units of cryoprecipitate. As compared to the previous year, in 2021 almost all the indicators of the activity of the blood transfusion service in Poland have increased. Conclusions: The study data point to a smaller impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood donation in Poland in the year 2021 as compared to 2020. The data may serve as a starting point for the analysis of issues related to the activity of organizational units of the Polish blood transfusion service. The outcome may contribute to practical benchmarking, comparing experiences and seeking new solutions.