Quality control of leucoreduced cellular blood components in France.
OBJECTIVE
Since 1 April 1998, all cellular blood components in France have been leucoreduced. The current French standard is < 1 x 10(6) white blood cells (WBC) per unit with a 95% confidence that at least 97% of units will meet this standard.


METHODS
Quality control (QC) data for leucoreduced cellular blood components were collected from the 41 French blood centres over a 5-month period. Conformance to the standard was determined using a non-parametric approach.


RESULTS
More than 98% of the 15 286 red cell concentrates and of the 2895 platelet concentrates tested had < 1 x 10(6) WBC per unit. One filtration device gave unsatisfactory results and its use was discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
This QC survey shows an overall compliance with the standard. The data illustrate the practical value of identifying devices or centres with consistent QC problems.
Chabanel
A
A
French National Blood Service, Paris, France Paris VII University, Paris, France. anne.chabanel@efs.sante.fr
Andreu
G
G
Carrat
F
F
Hervé
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000592:standards*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010976:Platelet Count; D011786:Quality Control