Blood transfusion service in the Czech Republic is disperse, hospital based. Overall 55 blood establishments plus 14 blood collection centres took part in the production of allogeneic blood components and plasma for fractionation. These establishments together with another 42 blood banks substitute hospitals with blood components. Blood is collected mostly from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. Donor population is stable and relatively safe. Predeposit autologous programme is popular. Production of blood components is stable over the years, country is self-sufficient in blood components and plasma for fractionation. Circa 40 red blood cell units per 1000 inhabitants are available, platelets and fresh frozen plasma for clinical purposes are available. Over 80 tons of plasma are sent for industrial fractionation. Transfusion policy differs in different hospitals even if recommendations based on expert opinion are available for clinical use of blood. Severe adverse effects of transfusion are relatively rare.

        Key words: Czech Republic, blood transfusion service, blood components, production, consumption, adverse reactions to transfusion