A comprehensive program to ensure quality in intraoperative blood salvage.

Driven by widespread concern about transfusion-transmitted disease, intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) and other forms of autologous transfusion are playing an increasing role in medical practice. A quality assurance (QA) program is one of the most important elements of a successful IBS program. A large and successful QA program is described, the key elements of which are: 1) direction by a physician dedicated to the program; 2) use of full-time IBS personnel; 3) use of procedure and training manuals; 4) development of detailed patient identification procedures; 5) quality control of identification procedures, hematocrit, washing efficiency, and sterility; 6) use of extensive patient records; and 7) preventive maintenance procedures. In the past 6 years, 14,522 procedures have been performed and 38,899 salvaged units of blood collected without significant complications. Much of this success is attributed to the comprehensive QA program used during this time.