The National Blood Service of Latvia includes:
- the State Blood Donor center (SBDC) in Riga with a branch in Rezekne;
- 9 hospital blood establishments;
- hospital blood banks.
Blood is collected and components are prepared by the SBDC and the blood establishments in hospitals. Virological and serological testing is centralised in SBDC. Hospital blood banks take blood components from the blood establishments on request, store them, ensure compatibility testing, distribute for transfusion as well as make reports to Haemovigilance system.
The National Blood Service is financed by the State budget and subordinated to the Ministry of Health. All patients get blood components free of charge. Latvia is self-sufficient in blood components.
An essential part of the National Blood Service is quality of blood components, ensured by Quality System (QS). QS and joint information system are implemented in all blood establishments.
SBDC organises training for all medical staff in Transfusiology, consults other specialists in immunohaematology, coordinates international cooperation in Transfusion Medicine.
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