P. Morel et al., SURVEILLANCE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF BLOOD COMPONENTS - ITS ROLE IN A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM, Transfusion clinique et biologique, 5(4), 1998, pp. 251-259
As part of a quality assurance approach aiming at reducing the risk of
bacterial contamination of labile blood components (BC), their enviro
nment was submitted to a twofold quality control. A yearly control was
carried out by the University Hospital Laboratory of Hygiene (UH-LH).
Another control was regularly implemented by our Quality Control Labo
ratory. In accordance with this quality system, we focused our attenti
on on decontamination procedures, control targets and the definition o
f an acceptable threshold. The analysis of results over 1 year showed
that they can be considered as satisfactory when less than 40 CFU/100
cm(2) are found. Quality sheets were developed, aimed at motivating ou
r staff, adapting the decontamination procedures and initiating correc
tive measures. This quality programme allowed us to develop close coll
aboration links with the UH-LH and to play a role in the prevention of
hospital-acquired infections. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.