Using information technology to eliminate wrong blood transfusions

Abstract

Advances in the last three decades have dramatically improved blood safety, and wrong blood transfusion (mistransfusion) has now became the most important serious hazards of blood transfusion. The application of information technology in minimizing mistransfusion has further enhanced transfusion safety through the reduction of human steps that are prone to errors. Electronic bedside identification system using hand‐held computer and portable printer will minimize the risk of mistransfusion caused by blood sampling error for compatibility testing and patient identification error before blood administration. Fully automated blood bank immunohaematology testing systems together with laboratory information system (LIS) would minimize blood bank errors. Remote electronic blood release system can be considered an extension of the blood bank LIS to the point of care in ensuring the safe release of computer cross‐match‐compatible blood. Computer physician order entry (CPOE) would guide physicians in making appropriate requests, and connectivity with clinical data repository and blood bank LIS would provide clinical decision support and thus help to prevent human errors.