Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' expectations for transfusion medicine in health care organizations.

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' standards related to transfusion medicine found in its hospital, laboratory, and home care accreditation manuals. Hospital standards focus on the review and evaluation of the entire transfusion process from the order through the outcome to the patient, with special attention to the blood use review process. Laboratory standards provide the structure for the detailed review of the technical procedures and practices for collecting, processing, storing, testing, and transporting blood products. Home care standards relate to policies and procedures, infection control practices, education of the patient and family, and monitoring of adverse events and complications for transfusions of blood products performed in the home.