The Transfusion Services Committee—Responsibilities and Response to Adverse Transfusion Events

Abstract

Healthcare institutions in the United States must review blood transfusion practices and adverse outcomes in order to receive payments from the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid program, but it is not required for a specific committee to be assigned to oversee the review process. Regardless of the group or individuals responsible, the review process must include a program of quality assessment and performance improvement that is ongoing, hospital-wide, and data-driven, reflects the complexity of the hospital's organization and services, and involves all hospital departments and services (including those contracted). To be most effective, the performance improvement activity should be prioritized around high-risk, high-volume activities and/or in problem-prone areas. Even if a hospital elects not to receive payments from Medicare, it must still comply with applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations pertaining to transfusion services such as the follow up of adverse outcomes of transfusion.