title: Innovative accountability of tracking test kit as locked resources: a lesson in a restricted resource setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To implement quality screening in a blood service requires the presence of screening strategy with a clear algorithm and supporting standard operating procedures (SOPs), skilled and motivated human resource to perform testing, infrastructure, regular available test kits, and other supplies. In developing countries, smooth supply chain management of critical transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) screening reagents is a challenge. Therefore, managing the little available kits by knowing the rate of consumption, good forecasting, and monitoring expiry date may be a key in ensuring regular supply.
  
  
  METHODS
  Test kit monitoring tool (TKMT) for Vironostika HIV Uni-Form kit/192 1&2 Ag/Ab, Genedia kits for HBsAg and HCV, and RPR for syphilis was developed to track these reagents. This excel tool was developed to assess received reagents, quantity used, quantity remaining, and date of expiration. The tool was evaluated by assessing rerun for each test kits, match tests conducted with blood units tested, adherence to the principle of first in-first out (FIFO), and quantity remaining in the center against the need.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean rerun for HIV ELISA Vironistika uniform II Ag/Ab observed over expected was 6.9% (n = 3.8) than 2.4% (n = 1.3), HBsAg was 9.9% (n = 5.7) than 6.7% (3.5) (expected), Genedia for HCV was 1.3% (n = 0.7) than 0.5% (n = 0.3), and RPR test for syphilis 3.3% (n = 1.5) than 0.5%. During implementation, TKMT managed to detect expiring kits in the zonal blood transfusion centers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tool-like TKMT may capture other supplies within blood when expanded. Monitoring of supplies may enable blood service actual accounting and in forecasting supplies and reagents.
authors.affiliation: Former NBTS, Operations Officer, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare-RCHS, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Ahmad M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Makuwani
authors.forename: Sia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Msuya
authors.forename: Dunstan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haule
authors.forename: Deus
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mogella
authors.forename: Efesper
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nkya
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D058731:Blood Safety / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006295:Health Resources; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: TTI test kits; blood safety supplies; test kit monitoring tools
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