Netcells' AABB Accreditation is not just a general laboratory accreditation.
It relates specifically to the collection, processing and storage of cord blood.

AABB Accreditation Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Courtesy of the AABB

What is the AABB Accreditation Program?

Since 1958, AABB, Bethesda, MD, has administered accreditation activities as an all-volunteer program of continuous improvement and education. This biennial peer review assessment verifies conformance with applicable standards and offers objective, independent feedback to affirm sound practices and provide guidance on areas for improvement.

What distinguishes AABB Accreditation from others?

AABB assessments are based on the Standards that are developed by experts in the field. These standards consist of both quality and technical elements.

AABB Accreditation is a voluntary assessment program rather than a mandated inspection. Facilities that chose to seek AABB accreditation do so out of a facility’s desire for and commitment to continuous improvement, education and quality. Unlike any other accrediting body, blood banking, transfusion medicine and cellular therapy are core competencies of AABB.

How is AABB Accreditation relevant in today’s marketplace?

AABB Accreditation is the designation of choice for blood banking, transfusion medicine, blood management and cellular therapies because it demonstrates an organization’s commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement, and innovation by striving to sustain the highest possible level of patient and donor care. AABB-accredited organizations are recognized by their peers as leaders in their field and as pivotal voices in the dialogue through which consensus-based, voluntary standards are developed and implemented.

What types of facilities are currently accredited by AABB?

AABB accredits laboratories and facilities worldwide that are involved in one or more of the following activities:

  • Blood centres (collection, processing, testing and distribution)
  • Hospital blood banks
  • Transfusion services
  • Cellular Therapy laboratories (HPC, Cord Blood, and Somatic Cells)
  • Perioperative services
  • Immunohematology reference laboratories (IRL)
  • Relationship testing laboratories
  • Molecular Testing for Red Cell, Platelet, and Neutrophil Antigens

Institutional members of AABB are currently required to participate, and non-member institutions are also encourage to participate.

Who are AABB assessors?

Assessors are working professionals who are specifically trained to conduct on-site assessments for AABB Accreditation. Most assessors have typically earned advanced degrees and offer many years of experience in the field. These professionals participate on a voluntary basis, donating their time and expertise to support the community in its longstanding commitment to deliver the highest quality of care for patients and donors.

Where can I find information on meeting the intent of BB/TS standard 1.5 (communication of concerns)?

Standard 1.5 requires facilities to have a process for personnel to anonymously communicate any concerns about quality or safety. Information about contacting AABB may be found on the AABB website. The information may be found at AABB.org (under Standards and Accreditation > Accreditation Member Tools > Facilities)

What about confidentiality?

Assessments are conducted in the strictest confidence. It is an established policy that information obtained as a result of performing AABB Accreditation assessments is maintained as private and confidential and not publicly released or shared by AABB unless:

  • The facility owning such information has specifically authorized release;
  • The information is included in aggregated form;
  • The information is already a matter of public record; or
  • Release of such information is required by law

During Assessments, do Assessors comment on the performance of individual professionals?

AABB assessors review a facility’s medical, technical and administrative performance, not any one individual’s performance. This peer review process reaffirms sound practices and offers useful guidance and recommendations to assist a facility in its endeavour to sustain continuous improvement and innovation.

Why is AABB Accreditation so critical to the blood community?

AABB is a community of professionals and institutions united to establish and promote the highest possible standard of care for patients and donors in all aspects of blood banking, transfusion medicine, relationship testing, and cellular therapies. As such, AABB members set voluntary industry standards for quality performance and continuous improvement.

Why do organizations choose to be accredited by AABB?

Organizations seek AABB accreditation because it:

  1. Provides for structured evaluation by peers to help professionals gauge their organization’s level of proficiency compared to industry-accepted standards.
  2. Delivers staff education to help professionals leverage organizational resources maximally and thereby achieve the next higher level of proficiency.
  3. Offers an impartial perspective and educational focus.
  4. Enhances an organization’s readiness to deal with change and unforeseen challenges to public health.
  5. Serves as a valuable tool to improve both compliance and operations.
  6. Is required or accepted by some states for licensure purposes.

For more information:

AABB Accreditation Program
accreditation@aabb.org

Click here to view Netcells AABB Accreditation Certificate.