AABB23: Assessors Train in Person!

Both the AABB accreditation program and AABB assessors made a successful transition to virtual options following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A live training session, held in Nashville in conjunction with the 2023 AABB Annual Meeting, completed what is now a hybrid process for a new group of assessors. Accreditation staff members presented information in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

Melanie Sloan, Senior Director, AABB Accreditation, began the program with introductions from each accreditation staff member present, outlines of their different support roles, and a reminder that no issue or question is too minor to address.

Additional accreditation staff members provided advice and other helpful information on several topics, including the following:

• Recap of the pathway to becoming an assessor, which involves completion of eight virtual training modules before the live session.
• Brief review of the requirements for remaining an AABB assessor.
• Coordination needed for AABB-CAP assessments.
• Demonstration of the APEX website features, including the dashboard, checklists, evaluations, expense reimbursements and team information.
• Resources available to assessors (eg, accreditation staff, assessor tools, APEX and aabb.org documents).
• Step-by-step description and timeline for how an assessment is triggered, the communications during the assessment process and follow-up after the visit.

The informal session concluded with a discussion of some nuts and bolts of assessment visits, such as what to do when the wi-fi in the facility is interrupted, the difference between the personal notes vs objective evidence areas in APEX, and what happens when an assessor completes the assessment but fails to finalize it.

Want to Be an Assessor?

There are many good reasons to become an AABB assessor.

• An assessor benefits from extensive training in quality systems, develops or hones existing leadership skills, and builds a global network of contacts.
• An assessor’s employer benefits from the enhanced skill set brought back to the individual’s home facility.
• In addition, the transfusion medicine and biotherapies community is healthiest when individuals, facilities, and the association all work together to establish, and achieve compliance with, high standards for donor and patient care.

Details on assessor qualifications, how to get started, and additional details are available on the Assessor page on the AABB website.