Changes in quality control of blood components in Poland

Abstract

Introduction

One of the tasks of blood transfusion centers (BTCs) is the implementation of a quality assurance system that monitors all stages of blood component preparation – from donor qualification to the issue of blood components for clinical use. One element of this system is the quality control of blood components. At least 75% of the units (90% in the case of leukodepleted blood components) should meet the minimum of quality control requirements; otherwise the BTCs are obliged to launch corrective and preventive actions. Among others these actions include monitoring of procedures for sample collection, verification of analytical methods, apparatus, disposable equipment as well as monitoring the whole process of blood component preparation.

The aim

of the study was to analyze the results of quality control performed in BTCs in the period 1995–2013.

Material and methods

The analysis was based on quality control protocols from Polish BTCs.

Results

In the period 1995–1999 the percentage of leukodepleted platelet concentrates which met the quality control criteria was low (from 10% in 1995 to 63.6% in 1996). Quality control protocols from the period 1995 to 2001 (with the exception of 1999) reported a very low percentage of apheresis units meeting quality control criteria. The percentage of pooled platelet concentrates meeting minimum quality control criteria in 2011 and 2012 was estimated at less than 70%. In 2012–2013 a significant decrease in platelet count for apheresis PCs was reported (Tables 1 and 2).

Conclusions

The implementation of modern techniques/methods of blood component preparation as well as staff training at regular intervals contributed to higher percentage of blood components that meet quality control criteria. The periodical reduction in the number of PCs meeting minimum quality control criteria was most likely due to higher demand for this type of blood component and thus higher frequency of using split apheresis PCs.