AABB Continues to Set Standards for Patient Safety
Bethesda, Md. – AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) today announced the release of Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration, 3rd Edition (Perioperative Standards) and Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories, 5th Edition (IRL Standards).
“Since 1957, AABB has been a leader in the development of standards for voluntary compliance in blood bank blood component collection, processing and transfusion,” said Karen Shoos Lipton, AABB’s chief executive officer. “AABB standards-setting programs continue to expand to encompass several new disciplines that have a direct impact on patient safety.”
In addition to the Perioperative Standards and IRL Standards, AABB publishes Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Services, and Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories. Currently in development is a set of standards for facilities using molecular biology techniques.
Each set of AABB standards is developed by a volunteer committee of experts. The requirements are based on good medical practice, scientific data (when available), principles associated with good manufacturing practice and quality management systems, and applicable regulations and requirements.
Perioperative Standards encompasses the preparation of blood products that are collected from the patient and reinfused during or immediately following surgery. Perioperative blood management techniques can reduce the patient’s need for receipt of allogeneic blood (i.e., blood from another person) and ultimately play an important role in transfusion medicine.
This 52-page, soft-cover publication is geared for surgeons, profusionists, transfusion service personnel, nurses and other critical staff involved in the transfusion supply chain. The new edition has been updated and/or expanded to address perioperative techniques for preparing pharmaceuticals, as well as requirements for such areas as patient consent, product inspection criteria and traceability. The requirements described in the 3rd Edition are to be implemented by Nov. 1, 2007.
AABB is also releasing Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories, 5th Edition. Immunohematology reference laboratories use advanced testing methods to solve complex blood banking problems, providing compatible blood products to patients with rare blood types. Although such laboratories generally exist as part of a blood center or a hospital blood bank, AABB recognizes their uniqueness and the need for a separate set of standards that focuses on policies, processes, and procedures that are specific to the function of these laboratories.
IRL Standards, 5th Edition includes updated quality system requirements. Key features addressed in this edition include requirements for minimum inventory of antisera and rare cells. This minimum inventory is critical to ensure that the laboratory can screen and identify rare blood groups; this edition contains changes to how laboratories calculate whether their inventory meets the minimum required by AABB. Furthermore, this edition provides new options for hospital participation in the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP). The 50-page, soft-cover publication is intended for use by professionals at facilities involved with ARDP, laboratorians, specialist in blood banking (SBB) program participants, and IRL assessors. The requirements described in the 5th Edition are to be implemented by Sept. 1, 2007.
Should editors wish to obtain a complimentary copy of these publications, please contact Tiffani Collins, +1.301.215.6590 or tcollins@aabb.org. To view the entire AABB publications catalogue, visit www.aabb.org or call +1.866.222.2498.
About AABB
Established in 1947, AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) is an international, not-for-profit association dedicated to the advancement of science and the practice of transfusion medicine and related biological therapies. The association is committed to improving health by developing and delivering standards, accreditation and educational programs and services to optimize patient and donor care and safety. AABB membership consists of approximately 1,800 institutions and 8,000 individuals, including physicians, scientists, administrators, medical technologists, nurses, researchers, blood donor recruiters and public relations personnel. Members are located in all 50 states and 80 countries.
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