Abstract
The analysis of Blood Transfusion operating modes in the European Union is meant to bring up an inventory enabling each country to shape up its development. This statement shows up huge differences between countries as much for donations as for blood usage. Differences are both qualitative and quantitative: 92% of blood donations are indeed carried out as mobile units in the UK vs 0% in Norway or Belgium.
Considering the number of inhabitants, blood donation figures (whole blood) in Finland are nearly twice (1,6) higher than in France. Also, numbers of donors and new donors are quite different: 29.6% in Spain and 9.8% in Austria.
The discard rate for RBC's varies from 2.4% (in Sweden) to 9.5% (in Luxemburg).
Age distribution for donations ranges from 17 to 69. Man/woman ratio is of 60/40 in Austria and Germany, 45/55 in the UK.
Blood donation is non remunerated in most EU countries, except in Austria, Germany, Sweden…
There is a great disparity re the use of Labile Blood Products in such countries as Germany (33% more than Italy) and Finland (50% more than France).
The European Directive 2002/98/EC implementation will progressively improve the logical operating mode of Blood Transfusion in Europe. Other directives such as 2004/33/EC, 2005/61/EC and 2005/62/EC are expected to impact the technical aspects of donations, traceability, quality assurance and hæmovigilance.
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