Global Registration Identifier for Donors (GRID) of Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Road to Automation and Safety

Abstract

Once a cohort exceeds a certain size, it becomes mandatory to assign an identifier (ID) for each individual to ensure a secure, reliable, and unambiguous assignment. In the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with a still growing number of voluntary unrelated donors, it was recognized that a system needs to be developed to uniquely identify potential donors on a global scale to facilitate communication and to prevent errors in identification of donors. Efforts in this respect resulted in establishment of the GRID, with a defined structure and allocated rules. To successfully implement such a project, collaboration among all organizations involved in the process of volunteer donor recruitment, facilitation, and provision of hematopoietic stem cell products is necessary. Therefore, rapidly accessible information combined with a high level of communication and exchange of experiences is crucial. Established systems like the ISBT 128 and the Single European Code (SEC), which standardize the terminology, identification, coding, and labeling of tissues and cells of human origin, serve as a basis on how to successfully implement the GRID on a global scale.