An interactive computer-based donor management system

Abstract

Observations made at the regional and federal level confirm the urgent need for the application of computer techniques to the automation of blood banks. The increase in heart surgeries due to modernization of techniques has sent the demand for blood to a new high in areas where hospitals perform these types of operations. If whole blood could be stored indefinitely the problem of blood shortages could be alleviated in part; however, whole blood outdates in 21 days from the time it is drawn, making it imperative that blood banks allocate these units “optimally” (if possible) throughout a region of hospitals. There are two ways to partially solve the problem of unit outdating: (1) develop an inventory system that minimizes outdating of units; and (2) develop a donor pool such that all demands for blood can be met. This paper addresses itself to the second method and describes a donor retrieval system that allows for the “creation”, “updating”, “interrogation” and “reporting” of donor characteristics for the purpose of donor recruitment.