MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Jeffrey Stead, MD, medical director of City Hospital’s laboratory, announced today that the hospital’s blood bank was granted accreditation by the AABB. This news comes a day after officials announced that the City Hospital lab had received accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
The AABB accreditation was awarded after the blood bank was assessed by specially trained representatives from AABB. The onsite examination revealed that the level of technical and administrative performance within the Hospital’s blood bank met and exceeded the standards set by the AABB.
“The AABB’s Accreditation procedures are voluntary,” Stead said, adding, “City Hospital has sought AABB Accreditation because this program assists facilities in achieving excellence by promoting a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to quality performance and patient safety.” City Hospital, a member of West Virginia University Hospitals-East, has been accredited by AABB since 1985.
AABB’s Accreditation Program contributes to the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products.
The Accreditation Program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within a facility. These systems must be in compliance with AABB standards, Code of Federal Regulations and other federal guidance documents.
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 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.