Blood and marrow transplant program receives highest endorsement

The University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Adult and Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) program has earned reaccreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

FACT accreditation puts the University of Iowa BMT program on a select list of institutions that meet the most rigorous standards in every aspect of stem cell therapy, including clinical care, donor management, cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administration, and cell release.

“FACT accreditation is the highest qualification in the field of cellular therapy,” says Margarida Magalhaes-Silverman, MD, interim director of the BMT program. “It communicates to our patients that we strive to achieve the highest quality of care.”

FACT investigators conducted an on-site evaluation of the BMT program to confirm that it has maintained compliance with current FACT standards and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current rules for Good Tissue Practice.

The program was praised specifically for its adult and pediatric allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, immune effector cellular therapy, marrow and peripheral blood cellular therapy product collection, and cellular therapy product processing with minimal manipulation.

“Preparing for this inspection was an enormous undertaking,” says Magalhaes-Silverman. “The list of staff, providers, and services that must be recognized for their participation and contribution is endless.”

Magalhaes-Silverman says FACT reaccreditation is one of the ways University of Iowa Health Care ensures Iowans have access to all the services they need.

“We have the only BMT program in Iowa,” she says. “It’s crucial that we maintain our high standards so we can continue to offer our patients options they can’t find anywhere else in the state.”