title: A comprehensive program to ensure quality in intraoperative blood salvage.
abstract: Driven by widespread concern about transfusion-transmitted disease, intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) and other forms of autologous transfusion are playing an increasing role in medical practice. A quality assurance (QA) program is one of the most important elements of a successful IBS program. A large and successful QA program is described, the key elements of which are: 1) direction by a physician dedicated to the program; 2) use of full-time IBS personnel; 3) use of procedure and training manuals; 4) development of detailed patient identification procedures; 5) quality control of identification procedures, hematocrit, washing efficiency, and sterility; 6) use of extensive patient records; and 7) preventive maintenance procedures. In the past 6 years, 14,522 procedures have been performed and 38,899 salvaged units of blood collected without significant complications. Much of this success is attributed to the comprehensive QA program used during this time.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Taswell
mesh_terms: D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009737:Nursing Records; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control