Tissue banking training courses: Polish experience

Artur Kaminski,Izabela Uhrynowska-Tyszkiewicz,Ewa Olender,Grzegorz Gut

doi:10.1007/s10561-012-9294-4

Artur Kaminski, Izabela Uhrynowska-Tyszkiewicz + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9294-4

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Abstract

Personnel directly involved in the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells should be appropriately qualified and provided with timely and relevant training according to EU directives. In the time of new tissue and cells regulations implementation such a training system existed in Poland only at a local level. The first training programme outlines for various groups of health professionals engaged in tissue banking practice was created in co-operation with the Institute for LifeLong Learning at University of Barcelona in 2006. This initial training courses were financially supported by EU Transition Facility Programme 2004. Then, starting from 2006, based on previous experience, system of advanced training courses was created. This training programme was financially supported by the National Programme for the Development of Transplantation Medicine 2006–2009—POLGRAFT financed by Polish Ministry of Health. During 2006 and 2007 first set of tissue banking initial training courses were provided according to TF 2004 project. Over 200 pathologists, forensic medicine specialists and other medical doctors responsible for donor screening and classification, medical directors of tissue establishments, technical staff; tissue graft users: orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, cardiosurgeons and ophthalmologists were trained. Between 2006 and 2009 there were organized 8 advanced tissue banking training courses according to POLGRAFT programme. There were organized both theoretical and practical courses on various aspects of tissue for over 350 persons. We present our experience in organisation of international and national tissue banking training courses.

Highlights

Tissue banking is a highly specialized procedure that requires relevant professional qualifications of personnel involved in the donation, procurement, testing, preparation, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissue grafts
The first training programme outlines for various groups of health professionals engaged in tissue banking practice was created in co-operation with the Institute for LifeLong Learning at University of Barcelona in 2006
We present our experience in organisation of international and national tissue banking training courses

Summary

Introduction

Tissue banking is a highly specialized procedure that requires relevant professional qualifications of personnel involved in the donation, procurement, testing, preparation, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissue grafts. This is one of the key elements that affect the safety and quality of tissue grafts used for clinical applications. Two eye tissue banks were founded in co-operation with Tissue Banking International, and their staff was trained by foreign experts Another created tissue banks drew knowledge from experience of other already existing banks in Poland and adopted standards of EATB (European Association of Tissue Banks) or EEBA (European Eye Banking Association). In accordance with the legal requirements in Poland, tissue bank personnel is required to participate in trainings at least once every 2 years

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