Bar Coding

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Bar Coding Blood Products

• Kay Gregory MS, MT(ASCP)SBB
• Director of Regulatory Affairs, AABB

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Why are we here?

• Primary problem in transfusion medicine Need to
  reduce human error.
• Introduction of new technologies, such as ISBT
  128 bar coding, can save patient lives.

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FDA Should Consider

• Electronic Data Interchange
• Definition and use of Standard Data Structures

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ISBT 128 Advantages

• Internationally agreed upon placement of labeling
  information
• Internationally unique numbering system
• Internationally standardized product codes
• Encoding of date and time of collection,
  production and expiration

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ISBT 128 Advantages

• Encoding of special testing results
• Encoding of the manufacturer, catalog number and
  lot numbers of blood
• Mechanism for maintenance and growth of standard

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Identification Number
ABO/Rh Type
                         
Product Number
Expiration Date Time
Expiration date and time
Special Testing Results
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Mistransfusion of blood is the most common
cause of morbidity and mortality related to
transfusion.
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Right patient must receive the right unit of
blood!
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Recommendations to FDA

• 1. Require the blood banking community to adopt
  ISBT 128, or comparable system, for labeling of
  blood blood components.
• a. Significant time and resources for
  implementation.

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Recommendations to FDA

• 2. Encourage the development of
  patient and product ID systems for blood products
  that are compatible with drug and pharmacy
  systems.