ASSOCIATION OF GOOD QUALITY ASSURANCE ON OVERALL MANAGEMENT AND EXCELLENT PRODUCTIVITY OF BLOOD BANK A GAME CHANGER CONCEPT IN TRANSFUSION SERVICES

Abstract

Background: Quality Assurance (QA) is an essential component of transfusion medicine, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of blood bank operations. Despite its critical role, QA systems remain underdeveloped and inconsistently applied across blood banks in Pakistan, particularly within the public sector. This discrepancy has led to suboptimal transfusion outcomes, increased discard rates, and compromised patient safety. Aims & Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of QA implementation on the overall management, productivity, and operational performance of blood banks in Central Punjab, with comparative analysis between public and private sector institutions. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 23 licensed blood banks across Central Punjab. A standardized, WHO- and AABB-aligned checklist was employed to assess QA practices, including documentation, staffing, SOP adherence, donor management, turnaround time, inventory control, and internal audits. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0, applying chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, and multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of high performance. Results & Findings: Private sector blood banks exhibited significantly higher QA compliance than public sector counterparts. Facilities with comprehensive QA systems reported reduced component discard rates (mean 4.2% vs. 11.8%, p<0.01), faster crossmatch turnaround times (median 23 vs. 47 minutes, p<0.001), and improved donor return rates (71% vs. 38%, p<0.01). Key predictors of enhanced performance included the presence of ≥2 QA personnel (AOR 3.85), regular training programs (AOR 4.12), and full SOP implementation (AOR 5.21). Conclusion: Robust QA systems are strongly associated with improved transfusion service performance and patient safety outcomes. Public sector institutions must prioritize QA integration through national policy enforcement, dedicated staffing, digital infrastructure, and mandatory accreditation to align with international best practices and enhance the quality of transfusion services across Pakistan.