Use of blood products in Denmark in 1993. Regional differences and comparison with other Scandinavian and European countries

: In Denmark approximately 396,000 units of blood were collected during 1993 from among approximately 270,000 voluntary non-renumerated blood donors corresponding to about 76 donations per 100 inhabitants. Almost all units (approx. 99%) were fractionated into blood components in the blood banks. Approximately 16,000 erythrocyte units were rejected due to technical errors or quality control, while around 37,000 erythrocyte units were discarded from stock. Only 190 units were transfused as whole blood. In all 327,108 SAG-M erythrocyte suspensions, 70,971 thrombocyte concentrates, 50,161 units of fresh frozen plasma, FFP, and approximately 1700 kg albumin, 100% were transfused, corresponding to 63, 14 and 10 units and 340 g per 1000 inhabitants. When compared to other Scandinavian and European countries, Denmark has a high consumption of erythrocyte components, FFP and albumin for transfusion. The reason why cannot be clarified by available data, but it is not unlikely that Denmark has a more liberal transfusion policy than the other countries. There are considerable differences within Denmark as regards the clinical use of blood products. Counties/regions with university hospitals and regional and/or national functions tend to have a relatively high consumption. However, no information exists on consumption related to demographic parameters or related to hospitals, departments or diagnoses.