Blood Products
Donated whole blood is separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma within 24 hours of donation. We prepare the blood products needed by patients and deliver the plasma separated from whole blood for drug manufacturing. We distribute blood products and octaplasLG plasma drugs to hospitals.
We managed to keep blood product stocks sufficient throughout the year through proactive and efficient blood donation. The use of blood products decreased as in previous years. The biggest change, a 6.1 % decrease, occurred in platelets, which were sold for patient use at 26,497. Red blood cell products were sold to hospitals at 156,705 (-5.3 %). The sale of octaplasLG frozen plasma drug products delivered by the Blood Service to hospitals increased by 1.6 %.
The blood supply chain must operate uninterruptedly, so ensuring operational continuity has been emphasized in our activities. We practiced our operations for exceptional situations, such as information system disruptions. The Blood Service has the ability to operate even when digital tools are not available. Operational continuity also includes transportation. We developed the responsibility of blood product logistics together with customers, for example, by reducing air transport.
At the end of the year, octaplasLG AB dry plasma was added to our medical wholesale selection for emergency care and other critical needs.
Blood product sales to hospitals
| Product, units | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | change % 2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red blood cells (without white blood cells) | 173 116 | 165 550 | 156 705 | -5,3 % |
| Platelet products (including apheresis products) | 29 316 | 28 215 | 26 497 | -6,1 % |
Supply of plasma units for medicines manufacture
The Blood Service supplies the plasma separated from whole blood to its contracting party (Takeda) for medicines manufacture.
| 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma separated from whole blood | 48 555 litres 172 400 units | 44 725 liters 158 800 units |
| Apheresis plasma (plasma donation) | - | 1 136 liters 1 768 units |
Use of donated whole blood for preparation of blood products
| Red blood cells | Platelets** | |
|---|---|---|
| Products used in blood transfusions | 92 % | 77 % |
| Removals related to blood donation, laboratory results and the manufacturing process | 4 % | 2 % |
| Others not used for blood transfusions (expired, returned or supplied for medicines manufacture) | 4 %* | 21 % |
*Some red blood cells not used for blood transfusions are sent for use as raw material for a medicinal product used for the treatment of porphyria
** Proportions of platelet products; manufactured using only some of the donated whole blood units
In Finland, the use of blood for the treatment of patients is highly efficient. Red blood cell products can be used for about five weeks and platelets for about five days after donation. There are more expired platelet products because too low a stock may jeopardize response preparedness.