Improving transfusion safety by electronic identification of patients, blood samples, and blood units.

To evaluate the feasibility of using an electronic identification system to improve safety and documentation of blood transfusions, a hand-held bar code scanner and data terminal, portable label printer, and related software were integrated into all phases of the blood transfusion process, including sample collection, laboratory testing, and administration of blood components. The study was conducted in two hospitals, one in Italy and the other in the United States. Each hospital used different laboratory analysers and information systems. A total of 621 blood components were transfused to 177 patients using 331 blood samples with 100 percent accuracy and electronic documentation of all pertinent patient, staff, sample, testing, and component information. Bar code reading and related electronic technology can be adapted to improve transfusion safety and reduce the risk of human errors at all steps of the blood transfusion process.