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ISBT 128 PROJECT PLAN
Overview
This is a summary of United Blood Services' internal ISBT 128 Project Plan. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) developed, through international consensus, a new standard for labeling blood components. The ISBT 128 process uses barcode symbology with specific flags/data identifiers which are used internationally for process control of blood products. It also revises and expands all product codes and defines additional required information for the component label. The FDA approved use of the labeling standard in June, 2000.
Advantages
• Allows blood to be shipped all over the world and accepted into any blood bank or transfusion service without altering the Donation Identification Number (DIN) or component code. Global standardization is becoming increasingly important.
• The DIN allows for complete traceability as it identifies the collection site by using a defined format.
• ISBT 128 is a more secure symbology than ABC Codabar.
• ISBT 128 allows for future expansion of product codes and barcode information, where Codabar is almost at its limit.
• More information is encoded on the label.
• ISBT 128 prevents most misscans and improves accuracy when reading barcodes.
• ISBT 128 labels allow us to concatenate (read concurrently) several fields when scanning, thereby reducing the number of scans needed for several processes.
• Eliminates duplicate DIN problems. This is significant for our customers.
• Reduces product label cost significantly.
Project Scope
Implementation of ISBT 128 impacts all departments in the blood center that utilize a Donation Identification Number and/or a blood component code, including Collections, Distribution and all external customers and suppliers.
ISBT 128 will be implemented concurrently at all United Blood Services locations.
Project Timeline
Below is a current timeline of the ISBT 128 implementation project. The timeline is subject to change without notice. (Last updated August 20, 2007.)
| Dates | Action |
|---|---|
| Mar. 30, 2006 | Advise customers of AABB timeline for ISBT 128. |
| June 1, 2006 | "FAQs About ISBT 128" published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) |
| July-November 2006 | Assess impact, compatibility with ISBT 128 and uprades needed for all blood center systems. |
| Determine blood center equipment needs. Order additional label printers and/or scanners as needed. | |
| September 2006 | Guide to ISBT 128 Implementation, Quality Source PDF downloads available to customers online. |
| Guide to ISBT 128 Implementation Quality Source book and CD available to customers (contact your blood center representative). | |
| "What Do We Need To Buy For ISBT 128? Part 1: Label Printers," published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) | |
| October 2006 | "What Do We Need To Buy For ISBT 128? Part 2: Scanners," published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) |
| December 2006 | P.A.C.E.® educational program for ISBT 128 available to hospital customers. |
| January 2007 | Advise customers of exact requirements for them to accept ISBT 128 labeled components. |
| February 2007 | Product Codes CD sent to all customers. |
| "ISBT 128 Coming in 2007," published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) | |
| March 2007 | Reply cards sent to all customers to gather data regarding customer preparedness for labeling transition. |
| April 2007 | Delay notification letter sent; customer feedback shows delaying transition date will benefit most customers. |
| May 2007 | "New ISBT 128 Barcode Labeling Requirements for Blood & Blood Products," published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) |
| June 2007 | "Submit Applications for Label Variance Soon Rather than Later!" published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) |
| September 2007 | "New Date Finalized for ISBT 128," published in BloodNews newsletter. (Click here to download PDF file.) |
| December 2007 | ISBT 128 label samples packet sent to facilities. PDF available for download here. |
| Release of updated Facility Identification Numbers list. Available for download here. | |
| April 28, 2008 | New date for ISBT 128 implementation to be complete |
For more information on ISBT 128 implementation, contact your blood center representative or the ISBT team at ISBTCore@bloodsystems.org
