Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital has been granted accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) following an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained representatives of the Association. Accreditation establishes that the level of medical, technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the AABB.

By successfully meeting those requirements, Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital joins more than 2,000 similar facilities across the United States and abroad that have earned AABB accreditation.

“The AABB’s accreditation procedures are voluntary,” explained Anita R. Sgrignoli, M.D., chief of pathology at the local hospital. “The hospital has sought AABB accreditation because this program assists facilities around the country in achieving excellence by promoting a level of professional and medical expertise that contributes to quality performance.”

Since 1958, the AABB has been engaged in the accreditation of blood banks and transfusion services; the program assists these groups in determining whether methods, procedures, personnel knowledge, equipment and the physical plant meet established requirements.

Established in 1947, the AABB is the professional society for approximately 2,200 community, regional and Red Cross blood centers, hospital-based blood banks and transfusion services and over 8,800 individuals engaged in blood banking and transfusion medicine. Its member facilities are responsible for collecting virtually all of the nation’s blood supply and for transfusing more than 80 percent of the blood used for patient care in the United States. The AABB sets standards, assesses and accredits blood collection and transfusion facilities and provides continuing education and information.

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