[Production and consumption of blood and blood products in Norway. Factors of quality assurance in transfusion medicine].

In Norway self-sufficiency has been achieved with regard to all major blood products, despite a relatively low number of blood donations. There is good balance in the consumption of the various products. The total consumption of erythrocytes has gone down only slightly since pre-HIV times, while consumption of thrombocytes has increased. There is probably an over consumption of erythrocytes, albumin and plasma, and more attention should be given to the consistent application of principles of modern haemotherapy. If each department is given responsibility for its own economy, improvement may be achieved in this respect.