Inkjet & Digital Printing
Zebra Technologies to Improve Patient Safety With Release of ISBT 128 Compliant Blood Bag Labels
Wednesday 15. October 2008 - Durable thermal transfer blood bag labels will help reduce transfusion errors
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand specialty printing solutions for the healthcare industry, has introduced a new line of blood bag labels that support the ISBT 128 standard and are designed to enhance patient safety in the blood transfusion process.
Zebra’s 8000T Primary Blood Bag labels are fully compliant with ISBT 128, the international standard for identification, labeling and information processing of human blood, tissue and organ products. Manufactured with a polypropylene face sheet, the 8000T Primary Blood Bag labels feature a durable, acrylic-based adhesive that meets FDA 175.105 requirements for indirect food contact. The strong adhesion and pliability of the labels enables them to easily and securely conform to the shape of the blood bag, helping to ensure ease of scanning and higher bar code read rates.
“Blood bag labels are a key component in improving patient safety throughout the blood transfusion process,” says Cristina De Martini, global practice leader, healthcare, at Zebra Technologies. “By utilizing blood bag labels that comply with ISBT 128 blood bag labeling standards, blood banks are able to minimize the chance for mislabeling of blood products while ensuring that the labels remain readable throughout the blood supply chain. The release of our new blood bag labels demonstrates Zebra’s ongoing commitment to delivering products that allow healthcare organizations to improve safety and enhance care delivery.”
According to the FDA, approximately 414 blood transfusion errors occur in the United States each year. Damaged or illegible blood bag labels can hinder positive patient identification, leading to possible mismatches between the patient and blood product and significantly compromising patient safety. A study published in the International Journal of Transfusion Medicine, “Sources of Preventable Errors Related to Transfusion,” reports that nearly 80 percent of blood transfusion errors are related to bedside or labeling errors.
Designed for use with Zebra’s thermal transfer printers, Zebra’s blood bag label line includes both primary labels — designed for placement directly on the blood bag — and secondary labels, which are intended for placement on top of another blood bag label. Available in single quadrant, double quadrant and full face configurations, the labels withstand water, blood, soap, chemicals and other liquids for the duration of blood product storage. The long-lasting adhesive ensures that the labels will remain firmly affixed to the blood bag throughout its lifespan.
Zebra, a leading provider of print technology for the healthcare industry, is currently licensed by the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) as a registered vendor.