BloodCenter of Wisconsin Hosts International Conference on RFID Technology
BloodCenter of Wisconsin will host members of an international task force May 22-23 to discuss standards for using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in blood banking. This group of key technology and healthcare experts are beginning discussions to advance deployment of RFID, which holds promise to further enhance efficiency and safety when handling, manufacturing, and transporting blood from donor to the patient.
Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) May 21, 2006
BloodCenter of Wisconsin will host members of an international task force May 22-23 to discuss standards for using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in blood banking. Over 20 representatives from various prestigious transfusion medicine and standards organizations in Europe and United States as well as blood bag manufacturers will attend. This group of key technology and healthcare experts are beginning discussions to advance deployment of RFID, which holds promise to further enhance efficiency and safety when handling, manufacturing, and transporting blood from donor to the patient. Among the participants is Gerald Sandler, M. D. of Georgetown University Hospital who will discuss his hospital’s study in the use of RFID in hospital transfusion services.
The U. S. healthcare industry is in the process of adopting a barcoding and labeling standard known as ISBT Code 128 for blood products that is used worldwide in civilian and military facilities. Automatic identification and data capture of blood products through the use of RFID can potentially speed the handling of blood and provide additional assurance that the correct blood product is being delivered to the intended patient.
The task force is a part of the International Society of Blood Transfusion which is a scientific society of world renown, bringing together professionals involved in blood transfusion and transfusion medicine from more than 85 countries.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin is also involved in a comprehensive study to look at the use of RFID in the blood supply chain from the point of donation through transfusion at the hospital. BloodCenter is teamed with Carter BloodCare, the community blood center in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, Mississippi Blood Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mediware Information Services, and SysLogic, Inc. of Brookfield in this effort.
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