May 19, 2023
The proposed draft Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories, 13th edition, is now available for public comment. The comment period began Friday, May 19, and will conclude on July 18.
A comprehensive description of the additions and edits in the draft are provided in a summary memo that accompanies the proposed IRL Standards.
Reviewers should note that the proposed 13th edition incorporates the updated quality systems essentials that form the basis for all sets of AABB Standards. The updated quality systems essentials provide a one-page guidance at the beginning of each of the 10 chapters. This guidance includes the following components:
These are not requirements to which assessors will refer during assessments. Rather, they are tools to assist users in their understanding of the chapter content.
The 13th edition includes the following significant changes:
The Immunohematology Reference Laboratories Standards Committee encourages all interested individuals to provide feedback during the 60-day comment period. The standards in the 13th edition are in the proposed phase and will be finalized after the comment period has concluded. The Committee will review all comments submitted and provide a summary document describing the Committee’s rationale for its final decisions.