Korean J Blood Transfus.  2024 Aug;35(2):79-92. 10.17945/kjbt.2024.35.2.79.

Current Status of Korean Blood Services (2015∼2022)

• Oh D
• Min H
• Cha YJ

• KMID: 2558981
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17945/kjbt.2024.35.2.79

Abstract

Background
We aimed to examine the status of Korean blood services from 2015 to 2022, including the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period.
Methods
We referred to the Korean Red Cross Blood Services Statistics Yearbooks from 2015 to 2022 and analyzed the data.
Results
The actual number of blood donors decreased by 20.4% in the period 2015∼2022. During this period, the number of blood donations decreased by 14.1%, and the number of teenage blood donations decreased by 55.9%. Nevertheless, the supply of patient-appropriate blood products such as leukocyte-reduced red blood cells, specific antigen-negative blood cells, and apheresis platelets steadily increased. The plasma self-sufficiency rate for manufacturing of plasma derived medicinal product decreased yearly, from 95% in 2015 to 43.9% in 2022. Among the reasons for being ineligible for blood donations, the rate of hemoglobin levels not meeting the standard is slightly increasing. The positive rates of blood donor screening tests have decreased by 1% since 2019. The yearly differences in the number of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab), and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 antibody (HTLV Ab) positive cases between 2017 and 2022, are noticeable.
Conclusion
To secure an adequate supply of blood and ensure a stable supply of efficient blood products, we must utilize registered blood donors, including middle-aged people, and should also attempt the donation of multi-unit component blood products to increase blood donation efficiency.

Keyword

Blood services statistical yearbook; COVID-19; Teenage blood donation; Blood stocks; Donor screening test