Assessment of quality management practices across Asian countries

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Globally, there is a wide variation in Quality management practices and availability of Quality Standards. Because of a paucity of data on QM practices in BTS in various Asian countries, this study was undertaken to understand the quality assurance (QA) programme within the blood bank settings. Methods: The study was conducted by the Quality Working Group of Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine (AATM), by an online questionnaire having 25 questions which were circulated amongst various blood centres of member Countries of Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine (AATM). Results: 60 blood centres participated. 43 were Hospital based Blood Centres and 17 were from Stand-alone Blood Centres. The majority of the responders were from a tertiary care hospital (92%). More than 83% of blood centres, either accredited or planning to move forward, were conducting internal audits, more than 86% were having Quality policy and QMS. Conclusion: It is evident from this study that blood centres, by and large, maintain good practices as they are under the purview of regulatory bodies of the respective countries and hence follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). As the Asian countries come under the LMIC category; hence the financial cost could be a major hindrance in achieving quality standards, but few extra miles to achieve quality standards or accreditation will ultimately lead to better patient care.

Keywords

• asian countries
• blood safety
• quality practices