ISBT 128
Encyclopedia
ISBT 128 is a system for identification, labeling and processing of human blood
, tissue, and cellular therapy products using an internationally standardized system. The acronym ISBT stands for the International Society of Blood Transfusion
. The number 128 reflects the choice of barcode symbology known as Code 128
.
at that time with a more secure barcode symbology which contains more information.
The ISBT working group on automation and data processing was joined by the AABB
, the American Red Cross
(ARC), the Department of Defense
, and the Health Industry Manufacturers Association in the development of the symbology which was adopted as an international standard.
The International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) was established and given the responsibility for implementation and management of the new standard. Guidance from the AABB states that all AABB accredited blood banks must implement ISBT 128 by May 1, 2008.
medicine. Each blood product is given a unique donation identification number which includes an assigned collection facility code. This allows every product to be specifically identified and tracked anywhere in the world. Specific products and blood treatment processes are labeled the same way every time using this system.
The ISBT 128 barcode allows for more information to be coded into a small space and includes an internal check digit to prevent barcode misreads. Each barcode contains two data identifier characters embedded in the barcode that identifies the type of information coded in the barcode (e.g. ABO
/Rh
, Product Code) followed by the specific unit information which is reproduced in an eye readable format just below the barcode.
The label information is divided into quadrant
s. Donation ID (unit number) prints in the upper left quadrant. ABO/Rh prints in the upper right quadrant. Product code prints in the lower left quadrant. Expiration date/time (down to the hour and minute) print in the lower right quadrant along with any special testing (antigens, CMV
, etc.)
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, tissue, and cellular therapy products using an internationally standardized system. The acronym ISBT stands for the International Society of Blood Transfusion
International Society of Blood Transfusion
The International Society of Blood Transfusion , is a scientific society, founded in 1935, which aims to promote the study of blood transfusion, and to spread the know-how about the manner in which blood transfusion medicine and science best can serve the patient's interests. The society's central...
. The number 128 reflects the choice of barcode symbology known as Code 128
Code 128
Code 128 is a very high-density barcode symbology. It is used for alphanumeric or numeric-only barcodes. It can encode all 128 characters of ASCII and, by use of an extension character , the Latin-1 characters defined in ISO/IEC 8859-1...
.
History
The current version of the ISBT 128 Standard Technical Specification is version 4.0.1; version 1 was first published in 1994, and was intended to replace the ABC Codabar and other similar CODABAR-based standards in use in transfusion medicineTransfusion medicine
Transfusion medicine is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the transfusion of blood and blood components. The blood bank is the section of the clinical laboratory where medical technologists process and distribute blood products under the supervision of a medical director, often...
at that time with a more secure barcode symbology which contains more information.
The ISBT working group on automation and data processing was joined by the AABB
AABB
The AABB is a United States-based professional body and standards organization that was founded in 1947 as the American Association of Blood Banks. The organization is now international with members in 80 countries and has taken on a broader scope to include all of transfusion medicine as well as...
, the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
(ARC), the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, and the Health Industry Manufacturers Association in the development of the symbology which was adopted as an international standard.
The International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) was established and given the responsibility for implementation and management of the new standard. Guidance from the AABB states that all AABB accredited blood banks must implement ISBT 128 by May 1, 2008.
How ISBT 128 works
The ISBT 128 system increases the level of standardization in transfusionBlood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
medicine. Each blood product is given a unique donation identification number which includes an assigned collection facility code. This allows every product to be specifically identified and tracked anywhere in the world. Specific products and blood treatment processes are labeled the same way every time using this system.
The ISBT 128 barcode allows for more information to be coded into a small space and includes an internal check digit to prevent barcode misreads. Each barcode contains two data identifier characters embedded in the barcode that identifies the type of information coded in the barcode (e.g. ABO
ABO blood group system
The ABO blood group system is the most important blood type system in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM antibodies, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food,...
/Rh
Rhesus blood group system
The Rh blood group system is one of thirty current human blood group systems. Clinically, it is the most important blood group system after ABO. At Present, the Rh blood group system consists of 50 defined blood-group antigens, among which the 5 antigens D, C, c, E, and e are the most important...
, Product Code) followed by the specific unit information which is reproduced in an eye readable format just below the barcode.
The label information is divided into quadrant
Quadrant
Quadrant may refer to:* A sector equal to one quarter of a circle, or half a semicircle, see Circular sector* The sectors of a two-dimensional cartesian coordinate system, see Cartesian coordinate system#Quadrants and octants...
s. Donation ID (unit number) prints in the upper left quadrant. ABO/Rh prints in the upper right quadrant. Product code prints in the lower left quadrant. Expiration date/time (down to the hour and minute) print in the lower right quadrant along with any special testing (antigens, CMV
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, etc.)