Quality

There is a thread of quality running through all sections of this publication. This is because the quality system in a blood service includes all aspects of transfusion practice; including the education, identification, screening and selection of blood donors; the actual collection of blood; the preparation of components; appropriate and accurate laboratory testing, including the storage and transportation of blood products; the identification and testing of recipients; and the documentation of all results. It also includes the selection, validation and maintenance of equipment used in these processes; the design and provision of a suitable working environment; and the appropriate storage and maintenance of laboratory and other records. A commonly quoted definition of quality is ‘fitness for purpose’. This is an appropriate definition to use in the blood service, where the main objective of the quality system is to ensure the transfusion of safe and efficacious blood and blood components, i.e. components that are fit for the purpose for which they are intended. The quality system should be designed to deliver a sufficient supply of blood and blood components with maximum efficacy and with minimum risk to donors and recipients alike, and to ensure that the components and services delivered meet the expected standard. Effective quality management is achieved by adopting good manufacturing practice (GMP), good laboratory practice (GLP) and good hospital and clinical practice. Personnel involved at any stage of the blood transfusion chain should be aware of the importance of quality management and their role in achieving it successfully. Good record keeping, the adherence to well-designed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory worksheets and following well-conceived safety guidelines will further improve the quality of the work produced.