HISTORY     The Transfusion  QAP commenced in 1969 with one survey per year and a total of 102 participants, including six from overseas. By 1978 the number of participants had grown to 167 and then in 1983 the program was taken over by the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in Brisbane and the number of surveys was increased to four annually. In 1984 an educational exercise was added and in 1988 the surveys were increased to six. In 1991, the B survey was introduced with 4 surveys per year. At this time there were 319 A survey participants and 78 B survey participants. In 1994 phenotyping was introduced in the A survey and by 1998 the A survey had 311 participants including 31 overseas participants from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaya, Fiji, Singapore, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Brunei, and South Africa. 64 participants were enrolled in the B survey. In 2001 the Foeto-maternal Haemorrhage survey was introduced providing three surveys per year to 116 participants.       OVERVIEW     The Transfusion  QAP is based at the Queensland branch of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in Queen Street, Brisbane. The program receives invaluable support from the blood service with the provision of material and expertise necessary for the compilation of the surveys that must simulate as close as possible, a real live blood banking situation.  The program is managed by full time staff with advice from Specialist Haematologists and Transfusion Scientists in Brisbane. The QAP offers three programs. The major (A) survey has approximately 360 participants and assesses all aspects of transfusion techniques required for the provision of compatible blood. There are six surveys per year. The minor (B) survey has approximately 90 participants and assesses blood grouping and antibody screening only.  There are six surveys per year.  The FMH (Foeto Maternal Haemorrhage) survey has approximately 125 participants and calculates the percentage of foetal cells in the maternal circulation and the usage of Rh(D) immunoglobulin to prevent D sensitisation in the mother. There are four surveys per year. Also included with the major (A) survey is an educational supplement which may take the form of a wet exercise with samples provided or may be in the form of a written exercise based on a clinical setting. As part of the ongoing educational commitment, a copy of the latest ASBT Topics in Transfusion Medicine is provided to all major survey participants. The Transfusion  QAP provides this service to customers in Australia and overseas countries including New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia.       OBJECTIVES     The Transfusion  QAP is part of RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty. Ltd. The objectives of the company are: To design and provide the best possible materials and data management. To design and provide quality reports that are timely and valid. To provide professional support and consultation. To undertake and promote educational activities. To develop new programs as required. To participate in peer review. To be leading authorities in quality assurance. To strive for continual improvement of the quality system. The values that underpin our Company at all levels are: An ethos of quality, innovation and professionalism. An adherence to sound scientific principles An acknowledgement of contributions of each staff member       STRUCTURE CHART