Better way to manage blood

NST: CYBERJAYA: It is now possible to prevent human error in blood transfusions.
A system called BloodBank Manager promises to increase efficiency from donation to transfusion, thus protecting patients.
The joint venture by Siemens Malaysia and Intel Malaysia will be implemented soon. Pilot tests are being conducted at University Malaya Medical Centre, National Blood Bank and Penang Adventist Hospital.
The BloodBank Manager will reduce waiting time, errors and mismatches while improving the efficiency of internal processes, a statement read.
The system will ensure transparency and accountability through the logging, labelling and tracking of blood products using the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, it added.
The RFID technology will enable efficient handling of blood bags by improving identification, inventory, logistics, lab system interfaces and introduce other processes to better manage blood banks.
"The BloodBank Manager is another breakthrough in the healthcare industry to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as the world-class player in quality health care," Siemens Malaysia president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Rainer Althoff said at a signing ceremony to seal the deal between the companies.
Althoff said the system may be introduced to hospitals around the region.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad commended the system, but said it was subject to Treasury approval for it to be adopted in government hospitals.
"We will not compromise on safety but at the moment we are satisfied with the system we have in place," he said, when asked whether the ministry would consider implementing the BloodBank Manager at government hospitals.
Over the years, there have been several cases where people donated blood which later tested positive for HIV and Hepatitis B.
In June last year, a RM28 million civil suit was filed by lawyer P. Paramanathan against a cardiologist and Pantai Medical Centre after the 46-year-old allegedly contracted Hepatitis C three months after a blood transfusion.