2006-05-09
Centennial, CO (May 9, 2006) – AlloSource, one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of bone and soft tissue allografts, as well as allograft skin for burn applications, today announced it has received re-accreditation from the leading industry association, the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).
On March 15th 2006, AlloSource acquired tissue processor U.S. Tissue and Cell of Cincinnati (USTC). The former USTC, now AlloSource, was in the middle of an intensive nine-month process for accreditation from the AATB. The process includes an on-site inspection by a specially trained AATB inspector. It establishes that the level of medical, technical, and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the AATB. Nearly 100 facilities across the United States and abroad have earned AATB accreditation.
“It is part of our mandate to ensure that all of AlloSource’s processing operations maintain AATB certification, “said Tom Cycyota, AlloSource President and CEO. “As a non-profit provider of allografts, AlloSource is committed to lead the industry with respect to ethical practices and safety standards. Pursuing the voluntary and rigorous AATB accreditation exemplifies this high standard. “
The AATB has been accrediting tissue banks since 1986. Today, its Accreditation Program and its Standards for Tissue Banking are the only such private, industry programs available in the United States. AATB-accredited tissue banks are involved in the determination of donor eligibility as well as the retrieval, processing, storage and/or distribution of human cells and tissue for transplantation or research. Obtaining AATB accreditation demonstrates an organization's commitment to the highest standards and to the highest possible level of service to patients and the transplant community. AATB-accredited organizations are recognized as leaders in their field and as pivotal voices in the dialogue through which consensus-based, voluntary standards are developed and implemented.
About AATB
Founded in 1976, the AATB is a scientific and educational, tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to provide transplantable cells and tissues of uniform high quality in quantities sufficient to meet needs. To accomplish this, the AATB publishes standards, accredits facilities, certifies tissue bank personnel, publishes books and guidance documents, and produces educational programs to improve tissue banking.
About AlloSource
Founded in 1994, Centennial, Colorado based AlloSource continues to increase the availability of high quality, safe allografts. Showing respectful appreciation for the gift of donation, AlloSource saves and improves lives by maintaining the highest standards in recovery, processing and storage of human tissue and cells, while striving to develop new therapeutic technologies. AlloSource provides service to the country’s most reputable non-profit organ procurement organizations that have direct input and oversight into the company’s business operations. AlloSource is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks. It operates three facilities in Centennial, Salt Lake City and Cincinnati and employs over 240 people. For more information, visit www.allosource.org