LifeCell, the pioneers in umbilical cord blood stem cell banking, research & stem cell therapy in India, has been granted the prestigious AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) accreditation. AABB is an international non-profit body dedicated to developing the highest standards in blood and cord blood banking, transfusion medicine and cellular therapy.
This accreditation has been granted following an intensive on-site assessment by AABB assessors and establishes that the level of medical, technical and administrative performance within the facility is in accordance with the AABB standards or exceeds those set by AABB.
Abhaya Kumar, vice chairman, LifeCell said, "It is a proud moment for us that LifeCell is the first and the only cord blood bank in India to be awarded by an esteemed or Sanitation like AABB for our commitment to quality. AABB accreditation is sought after by private and public blood banks globally as it demonstrates a commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and innovation to sustain the highest possible level of quality and safety".
With this accreditation, LifeCell has become the first and only cord blood stem cell bank in India to have this accreditation and joins similar facilities across the United States and abroad that have earned AABB accreditation.
The accreditation assessment includes stem cell processing, cryo-preservation records, document control, inspection and testing, training of lab technicians, sample identification and traceability and verification of cord blood units when released from storage. During this audit, it was determined that LifeCell's level of medical, technical and administrative performance met the standards set by the AABB.
"Since its inception, LifeCell has been voluntarily following the high standards set by AAB8. During the accreditation process we were rigorously audited on our collection procedure, processing, testing, labelling and storage of the stem cell units. With this accreditation, our adherence has been formally recognized. In a country like India, where stem cell industry is still at its nascent stage, AABB accreditation is a boost to LifeCell to promote stem cell banking", he further added.
Since 1958, the AABB has been engaged in the accreditation of blood banks and transfusion services. Today its accreditation programme assists blood banks, transfusion services, cellular therapy facilities and related Laboratories services in determining whether methods, procedures, personnel knowledge, equipment and the physical plant meet established requirements. The AABB Accreditation programme strives to improve the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and blood products.
Parents banking their baby's umbilical cord blood stem cells with an AABB accredited bank can be assured that the blood sample has been qualified, collected, tested, processed, and stored as per internationally approved and recognised standards. Moreover this accreditation allows access to the banked cord blood from any part of the world, when needed.
AABB Accreditation is the designation of choice for blood banking, transfusion medicine, blood management, relationship testing, and cellular therapies because it demonstrates an organisation's commitment to advanced learning, continuous improvement and innovation by striving to sustain the highest possible level of patient and donor care. AABB-accredited organizations are recognized by their peers as leaders in their field and as pivotal voices in the dialogue through which consensus-based, voluntary standards are developed and implemented.