St. Francis Medical Center Earns AABB Accreditation

St. Francis Medical Center has been granted AABB accreditation for transfusion services by AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks), the professional organization recognized internationally for standards development, accreditation, and implementation of quality systems in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

Accreditation follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by AABB. St. Francis Medical Center is among the select facilities located throughout the United States and across the globe that also have successfully attained AABB accreditation.

"The AABB's accreditation procedures are voluntary," said Cathy Lazaran-McKee, director of the Clinical Laboratory at St. Francis Medical Center. "St. Francis has sought AABB accreditation because our laboratory team is dedicated to achieving excellence and promoting a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to high quality performance and patient safety."

AABB's accreditation program advances the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products. The program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within a facility on the basis of compliance with AABB standards, Code of Federal Regulations and other federal guidance documents. AABB accredited blood banks, transfusion services, and blood donor centers collect almost all of the U.S. blood supply and transfuse more than 80 percent.

The AABB accreditation program has been recognized by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). In June 1995, AABB was granted "deemed status" as an accrediting organization under the clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88) program. This granting of "deemed status" indicates that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has found the AABB accreditation process to provide reasonable assurance that the facilities accredited by it meet or exceed the conditions required by federal law and regulations.

“We are very proud to have once again earned AABB accreditation,” stated Lazaran-McKee. This is a noteworthy achievement that St. Francis has consistently maintained, and it reflects our team’s commitment to excellence and to providing the highest quality service and safety for our patients.”

St. Francis Medical Center is the only comprehensive, nonprofit health care institution serving Southeast Los Angeles. A part of Verity Health System, St. Francis is dedicated to providing vital healthcare services for 1.2 million adults and children who count on the hospital for high-quality and compassionate medical care. St. Francis is recognized for its full range of diagnostic and treatment services in specialties including cardiovascular, surgical, orthopedics, maternal-child health and trauma, and its broad array of outreach programs. Designated as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, St. Francis Medical Center is also an Approved Receiving Center for STEMI and Stroke for Los Angeles County.

AABB - Established in 1947, AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) is an international, not-for-profit association dedicated to the advancement of science and the practice of transfusion medicine and related biological therapies. The association is committed to improving health by developing and delivering standards, accreditation and educational programs and services to optimize patient and donor care and safety.