Standardization and Quality Improvement of Two International Blood Services in England and Chile
Program Code: 423-CEO
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (ET)

SPEAKERS
Patrick L. Sullivan, CPFA, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Cristina Martinez, Regional Blood Centre Concepcion, Chile

DESCRIPTION
The first speaker will provide an overview of the National Blood Services (NBS) in England. The NBS provides a wide range of specialized, transfusion services to over 300 hospitals and over 1,000 local community-based health-care organizations serving a population of 50 million. These services include red cell immunohematology; histocompatibility and immunogenetics; platelet and granulocyte immunology; stem cell and immunotherapy; research and development; components development; transfusion microbiology and scientific and technical training. Funding arrangements require the recovery of the full cost of these services. The second speaker will review the Ministry of Health's plans to create a national blood service in Chile. Specific steps in this process, along with resources needed and obstacles to overcome, will be discussed. In addition, the financial impact will be described. Currently, the blood services are largely provided by small hospital-based blood banks scattered throughout Chile. These number well in excess of 100 for a country with a population of 15 million served by nearly 200 public hospitals in 28 Health Services regions. Both speakers will answer questions from the audience at the conclusion of the session.

OBJECTIVES

• Describe the nature of the challenges faced by England and Chile
• Compare and contrast the differences and similarities between the two blood services
• Determine if patterns exist in both blood services and if these are relevant
• Explain how the scientific and management professions work together to achieve success
• Identify what quality improvements need to be implemented to continue to move toward perfection

AUDIENCE
Physicians, Scientists, Managers/Supervisors, CEOs/CFOs

PROGRAM LEVEL
Intermediate to Advanced