Blood transfusion services in countries that joined the EU in the last years: Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a country in the middle of Europe with 10·3 million inhabitants and 80 000 km². It became a European Union (EU) member in 2004. Blood transfusion service is disperse, hospital based. Blood is collected mostly from voluntary non‐remunerated blood donors and the country is self‐sufficient in blood components and plasma for fractionation. Predeposit autologeous programme is popular and covers around 4·5% of red cells needs. Donor population is stable and relatively safe. Total of 21 HIV positive donors have been detected during last 20 years, the incidence of hepatitis in blood donors is decreasing being below 0·10 pro mille for hepatitis B virus and below 0·20 pro mille for hepatitis C virus in 2005. European standards have been accepted and implemented during last 15 years; safety (quality) and general availability being the priorities. Donor selection, blood collection, processing and testing comply with EU directives. Producers of blood components (blood establishments) are under control of the state authority (State Institute for Drug Control). Recommendations based on expert opinion are available for clinical use of blood. Adverse effects of treatment are followed and investigated. Costs of blood components and plasma products are covered by general health insurance.