SURVEILLANCE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF BLOOD COMPONENTS - ITS ROLE IN A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

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.