ABSTRACT
Assuring blood transfusion safety means having error-free processes that begin with donor selection and continue through blood component administration. High-quality blood products and safe patient outcomes are best assured when errors are prevented along the entire range of blood banking activity. Two goals are desirable: (a) reduce to zero the number of blood components made from unsuitable donations that result in any finished, labeled blood product that could be distributed for clinical use, and (b) get the right blood products in the right quantity to the right patient in the right place at the right time (1). These two broad collections of processes and subprocesses involve different groups of people in different locations at different times. However, a logical approach to apply error-prevention initiatives across the entire range of activities can have the desired end results.
