Practical aspects of the self-assessment of the issue and administration of blood: a review of two hospitals' experiences.

: The transfusion of blood and blood components is usually carried out by personnel who are not under the direct supervision of the transfusion service medical director. Quality assessment and quality improvement processes were described to show how transfusion service medical directors can participate in the initiation, oversight, and assessment of transfusion practices. Such involvement by a transfusion service director is appropriate and consistent with the concept that the responsibility for proper transfusion does not end with the issuance of blood and components by transfusion service personnel. The results and a discussion of the self-assessment studies at two hospitals were also presented.