Quality is a matter of mind: proposed quality improvement through the implementation of best practice

In the past two decades, blood component, production and transfusion therapy have undergone considerable changes in terms of preparation of purer and safer products. This has led to a real improvement in their clinical effectiveness and prevention of untoward effects. With new developments in "tailor made" products it becomes imperative to establish a system of Quality Management in blood transfusion, similar to those of pharmaceutical manufacturers of blood products. Such a system must be comprehensive to embody all aspects of monitoring from donors to recipients, including validation processes using "state of the art" methodology and technology. To achieve overall acceptability, such a quality system must be simple, reliable and practical. We propose a quality improvement programme through the implementation of 6 pointers of quality which lend themselves to both harmonization and standardization programmes in all blood centres.