Transplant Center Survey of CIBMTR Internal Assessments

The University of Maryland Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) team has firmly established a culture of continuous quality improvement to assure the utmost accuracy of CIBMTR data. In early 2012, Minas and Ruehle reported the significance of auditing 10 commonly used data points. In early 2013, Minas and Ruehle set out to further improve CIBMTR data accuracy by combining their original set of commonly used data points with 19 additional ones. To explore the internal assessments (IA) audit activities used by other transplant centers to ensure CIBMTR data accuracy, the University of Maryland BMT team developed an anonymous survey consisting of 6 quantitative and 3 qualitative questions. One hundred and thirty seven NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) and CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research) affiliated transplant centers (TC) were invited to participate. The survey was administered using Survey Monkey. A total of 86 (62.8%) responses were received. Of these, 57% were from centers that transplanted over 100 patients per year. Most TC (89%) performed some type of IA for their CIBMTR forms. Centers reported that IA were most often conducted by a quality assurance manager (46%). Of the TC that performed IA, 76% reported using FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) and additional data points as opposed to only FACT data points. Fifty-six percent of TC that conducted IA reported that audits were performed on 10%-30% of patient data on a regular basis, while another 19% reported performing IA for 100% of patient data. Internal assessments were most commonly performed on a quarterly basis (35%). Most TC participate in some sort of IA. The majority of TC perform IA using FACT and additional data points, which likely improves accuracy of the data. Although time is a consideration, completing 100% IA assures the most accurate data. Surveys such as these provide us with knowledge of how all transplant centers assure quality CIBMTR data and prepare for external audits, such as CIBMTR and FACT.