Blood transfusion service in Poland in 2022

Streszczenie

Background: The aim of this study was to present the basic aspects of the activity of Polish blood transfusion service in 2022. Materials and methods: Analysis of data forwarded to the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine by the Polish Blood Transfusion Centers (Centers). Results: In 2022, there were 23 Centers and 135 local collection sites operating in Poland. Blood and blood components were also collected during 12 089 mobile collections. The overall numer of blood donors was estimated at 621 936, the majority of which were non-remunerated donors (621 715, including 31 243 responders to donation appeals) as well as 31 remunerated donors and 247 autologous donors. Most frequent were whole blood collections (1 289 164 donations), and the least frequent — granulocyte concentrate collections (111 donations) and collections by apheresis of RBC as the only component (15 donations). Whole blood was collected mostly in local collection sites (50.19%), less frequently in Centers (30.25%) and during mobile collections (19.56%). The most frequently prepared blood components were RBCs (1 266 346 units) and FFP (1 537 211 units). COVID-19 convalescent plasma was collected only sporadically (339 units altogether). In 2022, a total of 90 009 units of PCs pooled from whole blood and 52 957 units of PCs from apheresis were prepared. Additional processing methods (leukocyte depletion, irradiation) were more frequently applied to PCs (44.74% leukodepleted, 55.26% both leukodepleted and irradiated), than to RBCs (23.06% leukodepleted, 10.38% both leukodepleted and irradiated, 0.05% irradiated). Pathogen reaction technologies were applied to 24.73% of FFP units issued for clinical use and 12.70% of PCs. For various reasons the following amounts of blood components were wasted in 2022: 12 935 units of whole blood, 32 803 units of RBCs, 58 122 units of FFP, 1582 units of apheresis PCs, 3658 units of pooled PCs and 1681 units of cryoprecipitate. As compared to the years 2020–2021, the value of most indicators of the activity of the blood transfusion service in Poland has increased. Conclusions: The study data point to a smaller impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood donation in Poland in the year 2022 as compared to 2019–2021. 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.