Secure Blood-Management System

A new blood-management system electronically controls and tracks the movement of blood products into and out of hospital refrigerated stores.

The system was recently installed in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gateshead, UK), which is piloting a new e-learning approach for operating the system. Called Blood Track Courier, the system was developed by Olympus' Diagnostics (London, UK). It is designed to improve blood transfusion safety by ensuring that the right blood is given to the right patient, and uses simple technology to store, track, and handle units of blood and to correctly identify patients.

Training is a key part of the process. At Queen Elizabeth Hospital, staff members must pass a two-part process. First they must complete a competence-for-work element that gives them a half certificate. After this, they must complete the second part of training and demonstrate practical competence. Then they are issued computer identification to use the system and are given the second half of their certificate. Finally, they are allowed to use the system in a live situation. The training is being overseen by Medify Solutions Ltd. (London, UK).

"This is an important step in closing the loop on blood management by ensuring that the human element is monitored and controlled to assure greater patient safety. Our aim is to help hospitals to ensure compliance with clinical governance programs in new and innovative ways,” observed Colin Jefferson, operations head of Olympus Diagnostics.

Nurses and other workers at the hospital who need to store and withdraw blood from secure refrigerated kiosks will be trained via computer on the basic operation of the system and will also need to demonstrate competency in actually using it in an everyday situation. The new service was ready to begin at the end of November 2005.