Practical methods to improve transfusion safety by using novel blood unit and patient identification systems

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 107; no. 4 Suppl 1; pp. S12 - S16
• Main Authors: Wenz, B, Mercuriali, F, AuBuchon, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1997
• Subjects: Blood Banks - organization & administration; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; Blood Specimen Collection - methods; Blood Specimen Collection - standards; Blood Transfusion - methods; Blood Transfusion - standards; Computer Systems; Humans; Patient Identification Systems - methods; Patient Identification Systems - organization & administration; Patient Identification Systems - standards; Safety Management - standards; Transfusion Reaction; United States
• ISSN: 0002-9173

Human error is a leading cause of transfusion-associated death. Many of these events are associated with a failure to comply with established unit-recipient identification protocols. Although several dedicated systems designed to minimize this problem are currently available, none of them have been sufficiently challenged by the various conditions that exist in diverse clinical settings. However, data available for computer-based recognition procedures and for a disposable blood bag combination lock, which precludes access to the blood before it is properly identified, are encouraging.