Blood donation barometer: Improved information and transparency about the nationwide supply of erythrocyte concentrates

16.08.2023 12:23

The secure supply of erythrocyte concentrates continually poses challenges for blood donation services in Germany. Especially in the summer months and during the holiday season, fewer erythrocyte concentrates are available for the treatment of patients. This can be triggered by a lower donation volume. Other factors such as the demographic change of the donor collective or the seasonal provision of donations also influence the supply situation. The Paul Ehrlich Institute provides publicly accessible information about the supply in Germany with erythrocyte concentrates of all blood groups (blood donation barometer) on its website. This provides information about the weekly, nationwide supply situation.

Together with the blood donation services, the Paul Ehrlich Institute has established a database in which, for the first time nationwide, the weekly supplies of erythrocyte concentrates of all blood groups are recorded, evaluated and graphically displayed in a blood donation barometer. Faster mutual information between blood donation services about the supply situation is an essential basis so that blood donation services can improve the supply of erythrocyte concentrates.

Database evaluation provides weekly current data on the supply situation

According to Section 21 of the Transfusion Act, all blood donation services in Germany must report their production figures annually and retrospectively to the corresponding database of the Paul Ehrlich Institute.

As part of a pilot project running from 2021 to 2022, the recording of the current nationwide supply situation with erythrocyte concentrates was established together with the participating blood donation services. The participating blood donation services represent more than half of the erythrocyte concentrates produced in Germany. The forecast period of sufficient supply of erythrocyte concentrates (range) is stated in days and is calculated by comparing the stocks reported by the participating blood donation services with the consumption figures for the corresponding calendar week of the previous year.

The blood donation barometer will now be published weekly on the Paul Ehrlich Institute website. It illustrates the calculated stock of erythrocyte concentrates of all reporting blood donation services based on the respective calendar week. With a range of more than three days, it is assumed based on experience that the daily needs for patient care can be met. If the supply of erythrocyte concentrates per blood group falls below the amount that is sufficient for a three-day supply, it is required e.g. b. increased donations in order to ensure patient care.

This enables a faster exchange of information between the blood donation services and can therefore enable further measures to ensure supply.

The determination and implementation of suitable measures is the responsibility of the blood donation services.