IMPROVE BLOOD DONOR MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The NBTS is the only entity that provides all the blood and blood components for all the hospitals in Malta and Gozo. Approximately 19000 blood donations are donated annually, and the donation center also runs a small but successful apheresis programme. The demands for blood are changing and increasing, reflecting the pressures of a burgeoning population. As a result, there is a need to improve the handling of blood donors to ensure a higher return rate and to improve the donation experience, as well as to attract and retain more blood donors. Although adequate, current techniques of handling donors needs constant re-evaluation and updating. NBTS also requires experience in managing a plasma donor programme, which is not yet offered in Malta as we do not have the necessary knowledge. IT SKILLS TO EXPAND THE SERVICE INTO TISSUE AND CELL BANKING The NBTS was successful in obtaining a grant to build a new state-of-the-art transfusion center close to the main general and Oncology Hospital. This grant will enable NBTS to expand into other related areas of activity which are currently not available in Malta, due to a lack of physical resources. In many EU countries, blood transfusion services have been involved in tissue and cell banking for years. There are many reasons for this, including the synergies that exist between blood and tissues and cells. However, at NBTS' current premises this service cannot be provided. The new center will be an opportunity for NBTS to diversify and develop new services, such as cell and tissue banking (storing for the purpose of future use in a product or medicinal needs), thereby reaching the same standards of its European counterparts. This is a key target in our overall development plan. At this stage it is important to start preparing NBTS staff to be able to operate these new services, so that they will be fully prepared to start - such as knowledge of the background IT system that supports the banking process. IMPROVE QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Quality management in blood transfusion medicine implies the safety/risk management in blood establishments where blood, plasma, and blood products are produced. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) are therefore critical aspects in the production and availability of safe blood and blood components, and indeed a good chunk of legislation that regulates the industry relates to QA/QC. However, the implementation of QA/QC standards is often not so clear cut while 'what' to do is defined, the 'how' is often not very clear and is influenced by specific circumstances. Due to the isolation of our blood service, it is essential for key staff to observe QA/QC in centres of excellence where their interpretation and implementation of legislation differs. Indeed, NBTS current practice is a result of several previous visits to international centres (at own expense). As the science rapidly changes, and with a new directive on Good Practice Guidelines being transposed into national legislation, It is essential that QA/QC staff are again exposed to European practices. NBTS has also identified a number of shortfalls in the current system that it would like to address.
The MFH applied for this project in order to provide a job-shadowing opportunity to staff of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) which falls under its remit. One of the main limitations of the NBTS is its insularity, being the only blood service in a small island. Therefore, the NBTS necessarily has to look towards the European level for knowledge and skills that they do not possess, and to keep updated with the advancements in the field. Projects like this proposal are necessary to lessen the financial burden on NBTS in sending staff abroad to develop their competences. All of its key needs and goals are therefore irrevocably tied with European cooperation. We cannot hope to develop and provide a better transfusion service to the Maltese islands if NBTS does not upskill its staff with the assistance of European centres who have more resources and different/better methodologies than ours.