[Procedural guidelines. Good practice procedures for acquisition and preparation of cryopreserved human amniotic...

A cornea/tissue bank must have an organizational structure in which responsibility and authority to issue directives are clearly defined. It must also use a documented quality management system on the basis of good practice procedures which is maintained to the current standards. The personnel of a cornea/tissue bank must be present in sufficient numbers and be suitably qualified. A cornea/tissue bank must be in possession of appropriate facilities which are suitable for the main purpose of preparation of cryopreserved human amniotic membranes from donor placentas. All equipment must be designed and maintained corresponding to the intended purpose. Deviations from the stipulated quality and safety standards must give rise to documented investigations which include decisions on options for correctional and preventive measures. Acquisition of donors and tissue sampling must be strictly controlled and documented. This also applies to entry of donor tissue in the cornea/tissue bank. Cryopreserved human amniotic membranes can only be preserved from donors undergoing caesarean section and who did not present any known infection of the abdominal cavity or any systemic blood borne infection. Contamination of media used for cryopreservation of donor placenta must be ruled out at least once. Measures must be taken to keep the risk of contamination as low as possible. Cryopreserved human amniotic membranes from donor placentas can only be released if defined criteria are fulfilled. Any suspicion of severe undesired reactions and events for the recipient of an amniotic membrane transplant must be registered with the authorities. The activities of a cornea/tissue bank must maintain and adapt to the state-of-the-art with respect to scientific progress.