Glossary
AABB Standards
Commonly used name for a publication from AABB formally known as “Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services.” The requirements listed in this dense little book are those under which all AABB-accredited facilities must operate. “Standards” (to use an even shorter name) is currently in its 32nd edition (as of April 1, 2020). AABB member facilities are inspected every two years by a mix of AABB employees and trained volunteers based on the practices outlined in Standards. In general, AABB Standards are at least as strict as the requirements found in the FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and FDA Guidance documents. Should there be disagreement, most blood establishments will adhere to whichever guideline is more strict.
In the U.S. state of California, AABB Standards are actually incorporated into state law, so all blood establishments in that state must follow the Standards regardless of whether they are AABB-accredited.
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