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AABB Standards for Blood Banks & Transfusion Services

The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) recently released the 26th edition of the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, a publication outlining requirements for organizational structures of blood banks, research labs and transfusion centers. It also lists the requirements for allocation of resources and specifications for blood donors and products. Organizations collecting or transfusing blood in the United States can seek AABB's accreditation by meeting the standards outlined. The current standards are effective November 1, 2009.

  1. Background

    • Revision Committee meets every 18 months

      According to Eduardo Nunes, Director of Standards Development at AABB, human blood is so variable between donors a standard for collecting, testing, and classifying is necessary "to make an unpredictable product as predictable as possible." AABB published the first standards in 1957. Prior to this publication, states did not consistently regulate or register blood banks or transfusion services.

    Standards Revision Committee

    • A committee of approximately 30 experts in the fields (i.e. physicians, technologists, administrators) revise these standards every 18 months. The Executive Office of the AABB has a waiting list of volunteers to choose from to participate in the updates and revisions. This committee has term limits, bylaws and processes in place to govern how they work together. The committee will meet face to face a couple of times during the process to make recommendations based upon the newest scientific research. The public may comment on these recommendations during a 60 day period.

    The Document

    • The publication itself is the "basis for accreditation by quality and technical requirement," according to Nunes. Blood Centers and transfusion services voluntarily use these standards to seek and re-certify for a two year accreditation from the AABB. The manual has current Food and Drug Administration regulations, as well as best practices within the industry. The accreditation team visits on-site every two years to assess the facilities.

    Beyond Blood Centers and Transfusion Services

    • Over the years, the AABB expanded the standards to include blood handling organizations beyond the traditional blood banks and transfusion services. Now, the publication has standards for cellular therapies, which involved transplanting human cells or tissues to aid in the treatment of such diseases as leukemia and some cancers. AABB also accredits Immunohematiology Reference Laboratories, which identify and resolve simple to complex red cell transfusion compatibility problems. Furthermore, these standards include labs for relationship testing (previously known as paternity tests).

    International Standards

    • Organizations in 80 countries across Latin America, Africa, Middle and Eastern Asia and U.S. Military bases, outside the continental U.S., use the AABB standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services. The document uses blood banking terminology agreed upon by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which facilitates international blood centers to also receive recognition and accreditation from the world renowned AABB.

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