Electronic transfusion consent and blood delivering pattern improve the management of blood bank in China.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to improve the blood transfusion treatment consent accuracy, simplify the verification process, prolong the temperature control time before the blood transfusion, and save the blood transportation labor cost. METHODS: We designed the blood transfusion consent electronic signing process, which can generate personalized the text content and can automatically check the filling accuracy. The signal can be transmitted to the blood transfusion management system (TMS) to relieving the blood distribution. For blood delivering pattern, we established the blood transport center, recruited full-time nurses and used temperature-controlled blood transfer boxes to deliver blood in batches on a regular basis. RESULTS: A quarterly data analysis of blood transfusion quality showed a 100% blood transfusion consent accuracy after an electronic signing process was implemented. The average confirmation time savings between the electronic content and paper content was 26 min for the Department of Emergency (estimated difference 95% CI = 26 (20 to 36), p < 0.05). The blood delivering pattern reduced the time for each unit by leaving the average temperature control by 7.24 min (estimated difference 95% CI = 7.24 (6.92 to 7.56), p < 0.05). Furthermore, $3.67 was saved for the blood transportation labor cost for each unit as well. CONCLUSION: Blood transfusion consent electronic signing process not only ensures the accuracy, but also saves the verification time. Moreover, the blood delivering pattern prolongs the blood temperature control time and saves blood transportation labor costs. Thus, these two improvements could enhance transfusion management.