			Standards of Practice

Standards of Practice
Accreditation

Standards of Practice

The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) closely subscribes and constantly works to improve on the basic requirements for its operation as set out in the Human Tissue Act (Act 65 of 1983), a basic outline of which is included below.

Human blood and blood products used in the Republic of South Africa may only be provided by an organisation, institution or person licensed to operate in accordance with the regulations relating to human blood and human blood products which are issued in terms of the Human Tissue Act (Act 65 of 1983) and amended from time to time.

In this text, all such organisations are referred to by the word "establishment".

There are minimum standards for the collection, storage, processing and issuing of human blood and blood products by establishments licensed to operate within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

While such minimum standards must be regarded as obligatory for all establishments, it remains the prerogative of individual establishments to introduce standards and criteria over-and-above those laid down, provided that they supplement the standards and do not modify or conflict with them.

They are therefore not intended to replace detailed specifications and standard operating procedures (SOPs), but should be used in the preparation of the operating procedure as well as to complement the provisions of the Human Tissue Act and the regulations under which the discipline of blood transfusion may be practised in the Republic of South Africa.

Failure to meet the specified requirements is deemed to be a deficiency.

If the Chief Executive Officer is not a registered medical practitioner, the responsibility for all medical matters must be delegated to a registered medical practitioner (Medical Director), who is qualified by training and/or by experience in blood transfusion and related matters, who shall have the responsibility and authority for all medical and technical policies and procedures, and for all supportive services which relate to the safety of recipients and donors.

The licensee shall undertake to provide adequate clinical consultation facilities in respect of the practice of blood transfusion therapy and the management of complications arising there from.

Strict confidentiality must be observed by all employees of an establishment with regard to all information pertaining to blood donors and recipients in whose treatment the establishment is involved.

The National Blood Transfusion Council will continuously update, and at least every four years review these Standards, which are published from time to time.

In the event of any significant developments in the field of blood transfusion that will require urgent amendment of these standards, recommendations for such amendments must be made to the Minister without delay. If the Minister accepts the recommendations, the Department will inform all blood transfusion services to ensure their immediate implementation.

Accreditation

The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) operates according to international standards in order to render safe blood and blood products to all communities in the Western Cape.

The Service strives to excel in the science of blood transfusion and utilises the latest technology and research to reach this objective.

To this end the organisation is fully accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) and Technilaw, an independent accreditation organisation which certifies our compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)

All divisions of the Service — blood banks, clinics, testing laboratories, processing and administration — are tested annually and has been found to comply with all SANAS requirements since September 2002.

SANAS is based on a combination of the ISO9000 and ISO17025 systems and is recognised internationally.

These systems ensure a systematic operating methodology and increased quality in service standards that ultimately hold benefits for donors and recipients of the WPBTS's blood and blood products.

Technilaw

The WPBTS has managed to maintain a 5-star Technilaw Occupational Health and Safety grading (indicating 91-100% compliance) for the past four years.

Technilaw is outcomes-based, supporting training programme and consultancy services, which provide its client management with essential support.

All public and in-company training courses undergo regular, stringent review and continuous development to ensure that they remain appropriate to Technilaw clients' specific needs and legal requirements.

The WPBTS is audited annually by Technilaw, particularly in terms of safety procedures in the workplace.