Implementation of ISBT 128, a quality system, a standardized bar code labeling of blood products worldwide, electronic transfusion pathway: four years of experience in Norway.

BACKGROUND: In today's world of multinational disaster relief programs, blood collected and processed in one country may be used in another. A great deal of important information is carried by a blood product label. Given the concerns about safety and traceability, it is important to use globally unique blood product coding and labeling system. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 1994 the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) gave a group, ICCBBA (formerly called International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation), the responsibility for implementing a new, safe international system for coding and labeling blood products. This new system is based on 128 bar code symbology and is called ISBT 128. This study describes how ISBT 128 was implemented in blood banks in Norway. RESULTS: As soon as a couple of the most central blood banks implemented the system and started to use it in 2001, they found that it was much easier to handle than their old systems. There were two different software systems being used that were ISBT 128-compliant. The facilities started to export and import blood products to each other. The "foreign" blood products were easily scanned into "own" inventory. They were reluctant to order blood products from blood banks not using ISBT 128. Because of the success in the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine at the University Hospital of Akershus and some other blood banks in Norway, the Norwegian Health Authorities advised all the blood banks to implement ISBT 128. CONCLUSION: The use of ISBT 128 has been a success from the very beginning.

[Therapeutic hemapheresis]. / Terapeutisk hemaferese.

BACKGROUND: This is the first survey of therapeutic hemapheresis in Norway. The purpose was to collect data from all Norwegian dialysis and blood units performing hemapheresis treatment and stem cell collection for comparison with Swedish data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all regional and central hospitals in Norway including two specialized centres for stem cell apheresis. The questions included the number of hemapheresis procedures, patients, and indications. RESULTS: All units responded to the questionnaire. There were 17 dialysis units; seven blood units and two special units who performed 2,141 procedures. 12 units did not carry out any hemapheresis treatment at all. There were five stem cell collections per 100,000 inhabitants and 42.5 therapeutic apheresis procedures per 100,000 inhabitants. INTERPRETATION: Hemapheresis treatment is performed in all Norwegian health regions. The indications are quite similar to those reported from Sweden except for stem cell collections and erythrocytaphereses. The dominance of the dialysis units in the total number of procedures performed and the prominent use of filtration techniques are special features of the Norwegian practice of apheresis.