Singapore: Tecan is collaborating with the Chinese Society of Blood Transfusion in order to improve both the capabilities and the quality of blood screening services. Tecan will share its expertise, knowledge of quality control and quality assurance with the laboratories that are based at the Chinese blood centers and blood banks.

Mr Günter Weisshaar, senior VP, and head, quality assurance and regulatory affairs, Tecan, 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 concept was introduced at the 2011 Annual Conference of the Yunnan province blood centers and blood banks.

The presentation fuelled a tremendous discussion among the delegates who were present at the conference. Several delegates also seeked Tecan's advice and assistance in implementing their own schemesin order to ensure that blood centers and blood banks are prepared for any unexpected disaster that could lead to a breakdown in their ability to process blood.

Mr Tonghan Yang, director, 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."