title: Performance review of the National Blood Safety Improvement Project in Korea (2004-2009).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2004, the Korean government and blood transfusion community deliberated on the issue of a national blood system reform and agreed to implement a 5-year project (2004-2009) to further improve safety measures. Our study delineates the basis of the current national blood program and analyzes the performance of this 5-year project initiated by the Korean government.
  
  
  METHODS
  A performance review of the 5-year project was conducted from May 2009 to February 2010 using various approaches. Numerous data and documentation were collected from the Korean Red Cross and the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reviewed by experts. Approximately 20 interviews with representatives of stakeholder groups were conducted to gather information, opinions, and perceptions. We conducted a nationwide field survey on a total of 144 blood donor centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 5 major categories of the 5-year project, blood donor recruitment, laboratory testing, and product manufacturing were improved in terms of quality performance. Specifically, government's financial support ensured that the infrastructure of blood donor centers and blood laboratory centers improved. The pivotal role of the government contributed to improvements in the national blood program and enhanced national surveillance for blood safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Korea has made a tremendous effort with positive outcomes to provide safety measures for blood products for transfusion in its citizens. In all areas of blood management, from blood donations to transfusions, continuous developments in monitoring safety standards and practices are paramount.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sinyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Moon Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Hack
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Young Sil
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dong Han
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Blood safety; Improvement project; Quality performance