Accreditation Program Sponsored by AABB (new facilities/new activities)

The Accreditation Program promotes the highest standard of care for patients and donors in all aspects of blood banking, transfusion medicine, hematopoietic, cellular and gene therapies, transplantation, and relationship testing. The AABB supports high standards for medical, technical and administrative performance, scientific investigation, clinical application and education. The resulting Accreditation Program specifically assesses quality systems and operational areas for compliance with Standards. This independent assessment of operations assists in preparation for other inspections, and serves as a valuable tool to improve both compliance and operations. The program offers both educational and peer review opportunities. It is the intent of the program that accreditation be recognized at both a national and international level.

For those interested in pursuing AABB Accreditation who would like more information regarding the program, please view the accreditation brochure.

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT A FACILITY MUST BE IN OPERATION FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE INITIAL ACCREDITATION PROCESS CAN BEGIN ***

There are two phases to achieving AABB accreditation for the first time.  First, there is a self-assessment phase which is described in the initial accreditation process description (PDF).  This is followed by phase two which is an on-site assessment described in the accreditation process description (PDF).  The expectations of an AABB assessment are that all the standards are addressed in policies, processes and procedures (PPP's), and that PPP's are followed as written.

Information to start the initial accreditation process is provided below.

1) STEP ONE:  Submit the locations table (MS Word) to accreditation@aabb.org.   This is used to determine a facility's eligibility to pursue AABB accreditation and define complex dues issues.  Cord blood facilities additionally submit the cord blood questionnaire (MS Word).  A member of the AABB accreditation department will review the submissions and contact the interested party via email with the results of the review. 

2) STEP TWO:  Upon receipt of the email from the Accreditation Department, pay AABB Institutional Membership Dues.  The AABB Institutional Membership Application is located online:

1) For blood centers, blood banks, transfusion services (PDF)

2) For HPC, cord blood, or somatic cell services, perioperative services, or immunohematology reference labs (PDF)

3) For Relationship testing (DNA) labs (PDF)

Note:  Books on the Suggested References List may be helpful in preparing for accreditation.  These publications may be purchased from the AABB Bookstore.

3) STEP THREE:  Upon receipt of membership dues a member of the Accreditation Department will send instructions for the performance of the self-assessment.  See the initial accreditation process description (PDF) for subsequent steps.

The accreditation process usually takes a minimum of nine months to a year to complete.  A copy of the appropriate Standards is a benefit of membership.  Extra copies may be purchased from the AABB Bookstore.  Questions may be directed to Karen Whilden at 301-215-6549 or karen_w@aabb.org or the Accreditation Department at 301-215-6492 or accreditation@aabb.org.

Version 7                                                                                                     Effective date 6/9/2008