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Labette Health has been granted AABB accreditation for Transfusion Activities, according to Brian Williams, CEO. 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. By successfully meeting those requirements, Labette Health joins similar facilities located throughout the United States and around the world that also have earned AABB Accreditation.

"The AABB's Accreditation procedures are voluntary," Williams explained. "Labette Health has sought AABB Accreditation because this program assists facilities around the world in achieving excellence by promoting a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to quality performance and patient safety."

AABB's Accreditation Program contributes to the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products. The Accreditation Program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within a facility. The basis for assessment is compliance with AABB standards, Code of Federal Regulations and other federal guidance documents.

The AABB Accreditation program has been recognized by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare. 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.

AABB grants accreditation for: Donor Center, Transfusion Services, Cellular Therapy, Immunohematology Reference Labs, Perioperative Services, Relationship/Parentage Testing, and Molecular Testing for Red Cell, Platelet, and Neutrophil Antigens.

Labette Health is a 99 bed licensed hospital that provides acute, intensive and inpatient rehabilitation services. Serving a six-county area since 1961, Labette Health has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center renowned for its comprehensive health care services, state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled medical staff.

About 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. AABB membership consists of approximately 1,800 institutions and 8,000 individuals, including physicians, scientists, administrators, medical technologists, nurses, researchers, blood donor recruiters and public relations personnel. Member are located in all 50 states and 80 countries.