Practices in platelet production: A Nordic perspective (2018-2022)

The Nordic region includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, with a population of >27.5 million. Blood services are managed differently in each country. Current data on platelet concentrate (PC) production methods and capacity are important for developing efficiency and cross-border preparedness.

Retrospective data for 2018-2022 were collected through an online survey sent to all blood centres producing platelets in the region. Questions focused on collection procedures (aphaeresis [AP] or whole blood [WB]-derived pools), use of bacterial culture screening (BCS) or pathogen reduction (PR), shelf-life, transfusion practices and quality control.

A total of 43 blood centres provided data (83% response), including complete national coverage for Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Between 2018 and 2022, 632,596 PCs were produced at participating centres. Annual PC production was stable over the period. Most PCs were WB pools (77%). Automated separation to produce interim platelet unit (IPU) pools was performed at 19 centres. PR and BCS were used in 17 and 23 centres, respectively. Shelf-life ranged from 5 days (no safety measure) to 7 days (PR or BCS). The number of PCs transfused in the region declined by ~5% from 2018 to 2022.

Platelet production methods, including safety measures to prevent bacterial contamination, varied widely in the Nordic region. Harmonization, including the use of PR or BCS with 7-day storage, may contribute to resilient platelet supplies in the region.