Laboratory services

Our laboratories conduct tests to ensure the safety and quality of Blood Service’s blood and cell products. We also perform laboratory tests necessary for patient care.

A laboratory specialist working at the laboratory of the Blood Service.

The number of blood transfusion tests decreased from the previous year, which is due to the reduced use of blood products. The number of tissue compatibility tests conducted in connection with organ and stem cell transplants also decreased. However, the number of maternity clinic specimen tests slightly increased from the previous year.

The screening tests of blood donors were particularly challenged by the hepatitis E epidemic detected in Finland at the beginning of 2024. The situation was quickly addressed, and a new testing method was implemented within just a few days. A total of 37 hepatitis E-positive donors were identified in Blood Service’s investigations. This demonstrates the significance of the testing process in managing the epidemic and ensuring safety.

The number of screening tests for blood donors decreased in line with the overall number of donations.

Blood Service laboratory tests for healthcare units

202220232024
Tests for blood typing14 76114 90214 385
Red blood cell antibody identification4 2234 1983 919
Blood transfusion tests performed urgently and outside office hours2 6152 7272 520
Tests on maternity clinic specimens66 89966 06466 956
Tissue compatibility tests9 7549 6069 178

HIV and hepatitis viruses (B and C) and syphilis in blood donor samples

20202021202220232024
Hepatitis B696117
Hepatitis C88111420
HIV11100
Syphilis712446
Careful donor selection ensures that very few carriers of the HIV or hepatitis viruses are identified when the blood is tested for infection.

Organ transplantations performed in Finland (Source: Scandiatransplant)

20202021202220232024
Kidney263268250321314
Liver7575627876
Heart2222191918
Lungs2124202818
Pancreas2631202822
Other10021
TOTAL408420371476449
Deceased Finnish organ donors121119113150156
Live Finnish organ donors (kidney)3146424543
The Blood Service performs tissue typing for all organ transplantations performed in Finland and assesses tissue compatibility between the transplant recipients and the organ donors in a centralized manner.