Use of blood product labels that are peeled off of printed transfusion forms (tags)

A colleague in Georgia reports that his institution has been trying to switch from using an adhesive label (containing patient information) that peels off of a blood transfusion form (tag), but has found difficulty in doing so with the clinical staff. He wonders if using a peeled off form improves transfusion safety. It seems to him that this practice might increase the chance for clerical error. Also, he was wondering if other institutions still use adhesive labels that peel off of their transfusion forms.

Editors' note: Colleagues might find the discussion, Are concerns over adhesive leaching through a blood bag justified? to be germane to a discussion about the potential effect of a label's adhesive on a blood product.

The following comments have been received.

ADDENDA Sept. 17, 2007

1. A colleague in Melbourne, Australia reports that his hospital changed their compatibility labels over to a tag and label system in 2004 based on an article published in "Transfusion Medicine" the article is titled 'Tag and Label' system for checking and recording of blood transfusions. S. Whitehead, S. Kenny-Siddique, Y. Scott et al 2003, 13, 197-203. This is from the hematology department in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. They adopted a similar labeling system in order to improve compliance with recording blood donations in the patient's history. Prior to this, all product details were handwritten into the blood product administration form of the patients history. Audits reportedly showed that only 80% of histories had the details correctly and completely filled in. The concept of a peel of label bearing the patients identification details, blood group and donation number appealed to them and they hoped would improve compliance. The labels are printed on a Zebra bar code printer with a view that in the future they can incorporate a bar code of the donation number on the label. Once printed the label is attached to a blank luggage label and affixed to the blood bag via a rubber band. They do not stick the label to the bag due to concerns about glue and leaching its into the bag. The label has been very successful with a follow up audit showing compliance increasing to 98% of patient records being completed accurately, most notably in patients admitted to the trauma unit.

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Ira A. Shulman, MD
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W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Assistant Editor & Moderator