Regional
Improving the quality of Indonesian Red Cross Blood Centers
Ria Syafitri Evi Gantini
Indonesian Red Cross Central Blood Transfusion Services, Indonesia
Nova Surya Indah Hippy
Indonesian Red Cross Central Blood Transfusion Services, Indonesia
As an archipelago country, there is a geographical issue that makes the quality of Blood Centers in Indonesia variable. From one side, there is need for Blood Center to supply blood and blood components, and from another side, it is hard to apply the same quality standard because the blood cost may become too expensive. But having a standardized Blood Center is still a dream that needs to be achieved.
Indonesian FDA GMP Certification
It starts with a simple need to use the plasma that is discarded because of the low clinical demand, while the Plasma-Derived Medicinal Products, which are really need by some patients are imported from other countries. Some Indonesian Red Cross Blood Centers, which committed to get the GMP Certification, hired an expert from Australia to learn about GMP in Blood Centers. In 2017 Surabaya City Indonesian Red Cross Blood Center became the first GMP Certified Blood Center in Indonesia, and in 2021, 18 Indonesian Red Cross Blood Centers were GMP Certified.
But, since it only applies to some Blood Centers, then it is not enough. Hence, there is need of a government regulation to improve the quality. In 2015, Indonesian MoH Regulation about Blood Services Standard was issued. In that regulation, there is a specification and the standard of Quality Control of each blood and blood components.
Some Blood Centers which are unable to do the Quality Control on its own will consolidate with other Blood Centers. For example, in 2023 Indonesian Red Cross Central Blood Transfusion Services (CBTS) performed Quality Control for 16 other Blood Centers.1
Training of Blood Centers Accreditation Surveyors
Infection Prevention and Control Training at Indonesian Red Cross Central Blood Transfusion Services
In addition, Indonesian Red Cross keeps improving the quality of blood products. The Indonesian Red Cross CBTS implemented programs such as IQC and EQAS. 26 Blood Centers participated the TTI screening IQC program, 118 Blood Centers participated in TTI Screening EQAS program, 108 Blood Centers and 131 Hospital Based Transfusion Centers participated in Immunohematology EQAS program.
Blood chain discussion with a cold chain transportation company
In 2024, the Indonesian government also applied the Blood Centers accreditation, which not only standardizes the Blood and Blood Components processing, but also makes the standard for other processes, such as Human Resources, facilities, Occupational and Health Safety, and infection prevention and control.For fractionation, Indonesian Red Cross is preparing to send plasma for two fractionators appointed by the MoH in mid-2024. To make sure that cold chain is maintained during storage and distribution of Plasma, Indonesian Red Cross will work with one Blood Chain Transportation Company that already has experience in transporting biological products, such as drugs and vaccines. Validation and qualification of the distribution and storage processes are discussed with the stakeholders to make sure that it will be done according to the standard.
Example of the certificate TTI screening EQAS program
But it is not enough without the improvement of System Information Management called SIMDONDAR (abbreviation of System Information Management of Blood Donors in Indonesian language). SIMDONDAR will not only facilitate the data input and processing, it will also facilitate monitoring, evaluation and coordination of Indonesian Red Cross Blood Centers.
In all these years, Indonesian Red Cross learned that managing quality is not only about looking after one point, but also many other points to make sure that Indonesian Red Cross Blood Centers will be able to provide a good quality Blood and Blood Components including Plasma for Fractionation.
Plasma fractionator visit to Indonesian Red Cross Central Blood Transfusion Services
References
- UDDP PMI. Laporan Tahun 2023. Jakarta: UDDP PMI: 2024. Internal report.
