Mediware Information Systems, a provider of ClosedLoop™ clinical systems for blood and medication management, announced that Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Hospital has implemented the company’s BloodSafe™ system.
BloodSafe is a combination of hardware and software that includes ‘smart’ refrigerators, two-dimensional barcodes and technologies to help get blood to patients faster and more efficiently. BloodSafe also features an FDA 510(k) cleared interface with Mediware’s HCLL Transfusion blood bank software to enable clinical intelligence at the point of distribution. BloodSafe can also operate as a standalone system.
BloodSafe creates an intelligent, remote-release solution for hospitals so blood banks can securely store blood in areas of high need, electronically match blood to patients and dispense blood units to care providers as needed. Use of BloodSafe has been proven to improve efficiency of hospital staff, decrease time required to access blood and reduce waste.
As an integrated component of Mediware’s HCLL blood bank computer system in use at OHSU, blood bank staff will be able to seamlessly move products to remote locations; track their movement, status and usage; and crossmatch blood products much more quickly and efficiently. OHSU managers will have access to complete, closed loop information from the receipt of blood products through final transfusion, supporting stringent analysis and reporting needs.
"With two hospitals that specialize in complex cases and costly therapies, safety, efficiency and waste are top concerns underlying our processes," said Dr. Mick Scanlan, OHSU medical director of transfusion medicine. "BloodSafe helps us ensure we get the right blood products to the right patients — fast. We also know exactly what happens to each unit so we can control our inventory efficiently and with minimal waste. The clinical and operational benefits of this system are compelling and unique."
OHSU’s initial BloodSafe purchase includes a large, 150-unit refrigerator and a smaller, nine-drawer refrigerator. Each unit securely stores blood and uses barcode technology to ensure accuracy at the unit level. The larger refrigerator stores blood units individually and includes an on-board computer and barcode reader to control access. The smaller unit features nine drawers that are individually locked and controlled by the software.
"This product has generated a lot of excitement within our customer base and I’m pleased to see another prestigious organization move from budgeting cycles to implementation," said Thomas Mann, Mediware’s president and chief executive officer. "This product is the first of its kind. Its on-board intelligence and integration with the core blood bank system provide a compelling ROI as well as a dramatic improvement in safety and efficiency for clinicians."
BloodSafe has been particularly popular with large hospitals, where long transportation times are a major safety concern. Hospitals with multiple buildings or remote blood banks have also been early adopters of this product.
"BloodSafe will certainly have an impact at OHSU," continued Dr. Scanlan. "It will allow us to stock blood in mass, making the best use of our technicians who make these deliveries. It allows us to secure access to blood and remotely monitor who takes blood, where it’s headed, and record what happens to it in our central blood bank computer system. And it allows us to perform remote, electronic crossmatching right from the machine, which will save our hospital and blood bank both time and money."
In a typical hospital environment, blood is ordered, delivered and returned to a central blood bank. The delivery process can take an hour or longer depending on the tests required and the distance between the patient and the blood bank. Time and efficiency are concerns, as is waste since blood can only be outside a controlled environment for a limited time. With BloodSafe, hospitals have greater control and improved access to the blood supply at the point of care as well as more information about each blood transfusion.
Securely storing blood in areas of high use, such as the operating room or the emergency department, BloodSafe shortens the distance between patient and blood. Combined with BloodSafe’s electronic crossmatch capabilities, clinicians can now get access to blood in approximately 60 seconds.
Source: Mediware Information Systems
