Collaboration with China Introduces a new Dimension in Blood Safety

Tecan is working with the Chinese Society of Blood Transfusion in a bid to steadily improve both the capabilities and the quality of blood screening services, sharing its expertise and knowledge of quality control and quality assurance with the laboratories based at the Chinese blood centres and blood banks. At the 2011 Annual Conference of the Yunnan province blood centres and blood banks, Günter Weisshaar, Senior Vice President of Tecan and Head of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, raised the quality standard of the local blood screening facilities to new heights by introducing the concept of enterprise risk management and its impact on blood safety assurance.

The presentation triggered a tremendous discussion among the conference delegates. Many were motivated to request Tecan’s advice and assistance in implementing their own schemes to ensure that blood centres and blood banks are prepared for any unexpected disaster that could lead to a breakdown in their ability to process blood. Tonghan Yang, Director of the Kunming Blood Center, commented: “As our standard operating procedures and quality control systems mature, the focus of our attention to further improve blood safety is now shifting to risk management, and Tecan’s presentation was both timely and very helpful. Tecan’s helping hand to guide us through this journey will be greatly appreciated.”