Key Points Using EBMT data in >2000 patients from 1994 to 2015, we analyzed the development and factors influencing outcomes of HSCT for ADs. Transplant center experience, accreditation, and national socioeconomic factors are relevant for outcomes and future health service delivery.

Even with all the limitations of an observational study, these findings support the hypothesis that introduction of a comprehensive clinical quality management system is associated with improved outcome of patients after HSCT.

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Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) is a complex and evolving medical speciality that makes substantial demands on healthcare resources. To meet a professional responsibility to both patients and public health services, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) initiated and developed the Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy and EBMT—better known by the acronym, JACIE. Since its inception, JACIE has performed over 530 voluntary accreditation inspections (62% first time; 38% reaccreditation) in 25 countries, representing 40% of transplant centres in Europe. As well as widespread professional acceptance, JACIE has become incorporated into the regulatory framework for delivery of BMT and other haematopoietic cellular therapies in several countries. In recent years, JACIE has been validated using the EBMT registry as an effective means of quality improvement with a substantial positive impact on survival outcomes. Future directions include development of Europe-wide risk-adjusted outcome benchmarking through the EBMT registry and further extension beyond Europe, including goals to faciliate access for BMT programmes in in low- and middle-income economies (LMIEs) via a ‘first-step’ process.

In many healthcare settings, benchmarking for complex procedures has become a mandatory requirement by competent authorities, regulators, payers and patients to assure clinical performance, cost-effectiveness and safe care of patients. In several countries inside and outside Europe, benchmarking systems have been established for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but access is not universal. As benchmarking is now integrated into the FACT-JACIE standards, the EBMT and JACIE established a Clinical Outcomes Group (COG) to develop and introduce a universal system accessible across EBMT members. Established systems from seven European countries (United Kingdom,

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a lifesaving expensive medical procedure. Hence, more transplants are performed in more affluent countries. The impact of economic factors on patient outcome is less defined. We analyzed retrospectively a defined cohort of 102,549 patients treated with an allogeneic (N = 37,542; 37%) or autologous (N = 65,007; 63%) HSCT. They were transplanted by one of 404 HSCT centers in 25 European countries between 1999 and 2006. We searched for associations between center-specific microeconomic or country-specific macroeconomic factors and outcome. Center patient-volume and center program-duration were significantly and systematically associated with improved survival after allogeneic HSCT (HR 0·87; 0·84–0·91 per 10 patients; p < 0·0001; HR 0·90;0·85–0·90 per 10 years; p < 0·001) and autologous HSCT (HR 0·91;0·87–0·96 per 10 patients; p < 0·001; HR 0·93;0·87–0·99 per 10 years; p = 0·02). The product of Health Care Expenditures by Gross National Income/capita was significantly associated in multivariate analysis with all endpoints (R2 = 18%; for relapse free survival) after allogeneic HSCT. Data indicate that country- and center-specific economic factors are associated with distinct, significant, systematic, and clinically relevant effects on survival after HSCT. They impact on center expertise in long-term disease and complication management. It is likely that these findings apply to other forms of complex treatments.

Purpose: In order to improve the quality of care in Cancer Centers (CC) and designate Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs), the Organization for European Cancer Institutes (OECI) launched an Accreditation and Designation (A&D) program. The program facilitates the collection of defined data and the assessment of cancer center quality. This study analyzes the results of the first 10 European centers that entered the program. Methods:The assessment included 927 items divided across qualitative and quantitative questionnaires. Data collected during self-assessment and peer-review from the 10 first participating centers were combined in a database for comparative analysis using simple statistics. Quantitative and qualitative results were validated by auditors during the peer review visits. Results: Volumes of various functions and activities dedicatedto care, research, and education varied widely among centers. There were no significant differences in resources for radiology, radiotherapy, pathologic diagnostic, and surgery. Differences were observed in the use of clinical pathways but not for the practices of holding multidisciplinary team meetings and conforming to guidelines. Regarding human resources, main differences were in the composition and number of supportive care and research staff. All 10 centers applied as CCCs; five obtained the label, and five were designated as CCs. Conclusion:The OECI A&D program allows comparisons between centers with regard to management, research, care, education, and designation as CCs or CCCs. Through the peer review system, recommendations for improvements are given. Assessing the added value of the program, as well as research and patient treatment outcomes, is the next step.

JACIE (Joint Accreditation Committee of the ISCT and the EBMT) launched its first official inspection programme in January 2004. Since then, 35 centres in Europe have been inspected. Almost all were found to be functioning at a high level of excellence, with the majority having only minor deficiencies in compliance with the standards. In one-third of centres there were more significant deficiencies. The most common deficiencies were in quality management, and a survey of the applicant centres confirmed this was the area where centres experienced most difficulty in preparation for accreditation. Following correction of deficiencies, 28 centres have at the time of writing achieved full accreditation. Implementation of JACIE required a significant investment of time and resources by applicant centres. The majority required at least 18 months to prepare for accreditation and 85% needed to employ a quality manager and/or data manager on an ongoing basis. However, all centres felt their programme had benefited from the implementation of JACIE. In addition to the inspection and accreditation of individual centres, JACIE maintains an educational programme including training courses for inspectors and for centre preparation. JACIE is also working closely with other international organisations working in cellular therapy to develop international standards for all aspects of stem cell transplant. IntroductionJACIE is a nonprofit body established for the purposes of assessment and accreditation in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The committee was founded in 1998 by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), the two leading scientific organisations involved with HSCT in Europe. JACIE modelled itself on the US-based Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), established in 1996 by the ISCT and the American society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT). JACIE actively collaborates with FACT in establishing standards for the provision of quality medical and laboratory practice in HSCT. JACIE conducts inspections, accredits programmes and encourages health institutions and facilities performing HSCT to meet these standards voluntarily in order to demonstrate their high levels of quality of care. The current organisation of JACIE is shown in Figure 1. The structure ensures wide consultation, with 20 European countries now represented on the Board in addition to nursing, paediatrics and cord-blood representatives.The primary aim of JACIE is to improve the quality of HSCT in Europe by providing a means whereby transplant centres, cell collection facilities and processing facilities can demonstrate high-quality practice. This is supported by coordinating training courses in quality management for applicant centres and courses for inspectors. An additional and wider aim is to ensure harmonisation between JACIE standards and other national/international standards, including the EU Tissues & Cells Direc...