December 30, 2003–GRAND RAPIDS: Michigan Community Blood Centers (MCBC) has been reaccredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), according to Elizabeth Atkinson, MD, associate medical director of MCBC. In addition, MCBC’s stem cell laboratory was newly accredited, one of only a few facilities in the US to receive this designation from AABB.

Accreditation follows an intensive on-site assessment, conducted by AABB this past summer, which established that the level of medical, technical, and administrative performance within MCBC’s facilities meets or exceeds the standards set by the AABB. By meeting those requirements, MCBC joins approximately 2000 other blood banks across the U.S. and abroad that have earned AABB accreditation.

“AABB’s accreditation procedures are voluntary,” Dr. Atkinson explained. “Their Accreditation Program helps blood banks across the U.S. by promoting a level of professional and medical expertise that supports quality performance.”

AABB was established in 1947 and began its Accreditation Program in 1958. Today, AABB is an international association of community blood centers, hospital blood banks, and transfusion and transplantation services. AABB standards provide the basis for blood banking and transfusion practices around the world. Facilities with membership in AABB collect virtually all of America’s blood supply and transfuse more than 80 percent of all blood used for patient care in the U.S.

A nonprofit blood bank, MCBC provides 100 percent of the blood supply for hospitals in three major regions of Michigan with a combined population of more than 1.25 million. MCBC collects about 95,000 pints of blood each year. After providing for all local blood needs, MCBC also regularly shares blood with other communities in the state and nation.

© Michigan Community Blood Centers