Blood collection failures from a blood establishment perspective.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to show experience of the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine in monitoring and analysing collection failures caused by the venepuncture technique or occurred as a result of adverse reactions and complications experienced by donors during donation.

Background: Collection failures represent one of the leading nonconformities in blood establishments. Apart from being a negative motivating factor for blood donors, they also affect the blood components supply and have a negative financial impact.

Combined cell index in assessing blood donor iron stores.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the appropriateness of using combined cell index (CCI) in the assessment of iron stores in blood donors. This index is calculated by the formula: red blood cell distribution width (RDW) × 10 × mean corpuscular volume (MCV) × mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) .

Background: Ferritin measurement is a reliable method for estimating iron stores in blood donors.

Quality control of buffy coat removed red cell concentrates--a Croatian experience.

Objectives: Results are presented of the statistical quality control of red cell concentrate buffy coat removed in additive solution (RCC/BC/AS) and red cell concentrate buffy coat removed and leucoreduced in additive solution (RCC/BC/LR/AS) produced at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine during an 8-year period (2005-2012). The aim was to assess quality conformity of these products with specified requirements, as well as the suitability and justification of current regulations on the minimal quality requirements.

Methods: The measurements of all the study parameters of the products analysed are expressed using descriptive statistics and graphs showing the distributions of observed parameters.

Quality control of leucocyte-depleted platelet concentrates obtained by buffy-coat method.

Objectives: Quality control results on leukoreduced buffy-coat platelet pools during the 7-year period (2005-2011) are presented with the aim to assess their overall quality and trends recorded during the study period.

Methods: Data of the Quality Assurance Department, Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine were used in the study. Measurement results of all study parameters are presented for the entire study period, while the rate of controlled platelet pools consistent with the specified quality requirements is additionally presented for each study year.

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.