Product recall: a Croatian experience (2000-2010).

Background: Timely and efficient recall of products known or suspected to be non-conforming is an important measure in the prevention of adverse events and in patients' safety. Product recall in the transfusion service is regulated by professional standards and legal acts, but publications presenting results related to the implementation of these procedures are quite rare.

Materials And Methods: Data from the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine (CITM) on the procedures of product recall during an 11-year period (2000-2010) were retrospectively analyzed.

Management of complaints in blood establishments: thirteen years of experience at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine.

Background: The aim of the study is to present the results and experience in the management of complaints in a transfusion service in order to draw attention to the importance of this segment of quality management and to stimulate publication of other studies on the topic.

Materials And Methods: This study is based on data from the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine obtained by analysis of complaints recorded during a 13-year period (1998-2010). The distribution of the types and frequencies of complaints is presented, along with the level of their justifiability and criticality.

Error management in blood establishments: results of eight years of experience (2003-2010) at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine.

Background: Continuous and efficient error management, including procedures from error detection to their resolution and prevention, is an important part of quality management in blood establishments. At the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine (CITM), error management has been systematically performed since 2003.

Materials And Methods: Data derived from error management at the CITM during an 8-year period (2003-2010) formed the basis of this study.