bnawrot

We're wondering what other transfusion services are using for barcoding blood bag labels and specimen labels around the country. We scan blood center ISBT 128 labeled blood bags and code 39 and code 128 barcoded specimens using laser barcode scanners. We also manage tissue products but with the myriad of barcodes on tissue products, we generate new labels that print the lot#, sublot and prod in code128 for ease of dispensing. Every 3-4 years we need to order more scanners to replace those that get dropped and no longer work. We are considering 2D image readers in the transfusion services. Other lab departments are moving to the image readers. For ease of support our LIS department would like for us to use the image readers. We trialed some image readers and staff feel they are not as quick as barcode laser scanners, especially when workload is heavy. It's been my experience as well, the scanning has to be more precise since it can pick up other nearby barcodes on product labels more easily. But if we ever have the need to read datamatrix, we'd need the image readers. I've seen that ICCBBA has datamatrix barcode examples but our blood supplier has said there is nothing in the works for using datamatrix symbologies. Reagents have the 2D barcode. What has been your experience with image readers? Are you using them? Do you feel the advantages of barcode scanners (speed, knowing exactly what you're reading) still warrant their use over image readers that have future potential for decoding 2D symbologies. I suppose having both at designated workstations is also an option for when we'd need to have 2D decoding capabilities. Thank you in advance for your feedback, Bill

We are currently trying to meet the machine readable label requirement with a DYMO label printer. The user will have to manually enter the unit# into a stand-alone program that will allow us to print on-demand unit number barcode labels. We already have ABO/RH, facility id, product code barcode labels that we purchase. We are really close. Cliff, thank you for including the Federal Register link here. I was unaware that the FDA established an "effective" date for the barcode labeling requirement 21 CFR 606.121.©(13)(iii) already on April 26, 2004. I'm assuming the deadline of April 26, 2006 that AABB established for the machine readable label requirement in Association Bulletin #06-03 and the proposed 24th edition of Standards is the 2 year compliance date set by the FDA. The Assocation Bulletin is a little confusing since they state the effective date of the rule for blood and blood components is April 26, 2006. What would have been better was to use compliance or implemenation date since the FDA "effective" date was April 26, 2004. Please correct me if i'm wrong.