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Managing blood stocks and preventing heat exposure
Blood bags are frequently removed from refrigeration for operational tasks or intra-hospital transport, which constantly risks heat exposure. If a blood bag is removed and returned, hospital staff have no definitive way of knowing if it exceeded safe temperatures while out of the fridge. This lack of visibility creates an environment where patient safety is compromised, or viable blood is unnecessarily destroyed.
The negative consequences of this challenge are severe, leading to high costs from the unnecessary waste of viable blood supplies. Additionally, operational bottlenecks occur when medical teams face uncertainty about blood safety, creating stress and risking noncompliance with strict regulatory guidelines.
The managing blood stocks and preventing heat exposure solution
Zebra addresses this critical issue by utilising the Zebra Safe-T-Vue 6, Zebra Safe-T-Vue 10, Zebra FX9600 Fixed RFID Readers, and the Zebra HC50 or HC55 healthcare mobile computer. These integrated components work together to provide clear evidence of heat exposure and complete chain-of-custody tracking. This method reduces stress for medical teams and delivers strict compliance with AABB and FDA guidelines without manual guesswork.
Potential benefits
Implementing these integrated Zebra solutions shifts the focus from managing uncertainty to achieving tangible, quantifiable outcomes. Hospitals can significantly reduce costs and improve patient care through precise tracking and temperature monitoring.
Accuracy of +/- 0.4°C
with Safe-T-Vue 10
Reduced blood waste
by preventing the unnecessary disposal of viable and uncompromised blood bags
Verified compliance
with strict AABB and FDA regulatory guidelines for blood handling
Enhanced chain of custody
through real-time location updates from the blood bank to the operating room
How the solution works
Visual temperature alerts for storage and transit
The Zebra Safe-T-Vue 6 provides a non-reversible, immediate visual alert attached directly to the blood bag. It alerts staff if the blood reaches or exceeds 6 degrees Celsius during storage or transit. This temperature indicator offers clear evidence of heat exposure, allowing technicians to definitively know if the product remained within allowable limits, even if it was subsequently re-cooled.
Use immediate indicators for temporary transport
Building on the need for temperature visibility, the Zebra Safe-T-Vue 10 serves as a critical indicator when blood bags are removed for temporary transport, such as an operating room. It shows staff if the temperature reaches or exceeds 10 degrees Celsius. This provides an immediate, non-reversible visual cue that protects patient safety by definitively identifying compromised blood products before using them.
Automate real-time location tracking in hallways
As tagged blood bags move through the hospital environment, Zebra FX9600 Fixed RFID Readers provide automated real-time location tracking. Positioned strategically in hallways, these fixed readers automatically update the location of the blood bag in the hospital dashboard. This robust tracking capability handles the critical question of where the blood is at any given moment, maintaining a complete and accurate chain of custody. Featuring tough diecast aluminium housing, MIL-STD-810G shock resistance, and IP53 sealing, Zebra FX9600 readers reliably withstand dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures from freezing subzero to intense heat.
Scan safe inventory back into the blood bank
If a blood bag is returned unused to the blood bank, a technician visually inspects the attached temperature indicator. If the indicator remains white and the blood bag meets the hospital’s return-to-inventory requirements, the technician uses the Zebra HC50 or HC55 to rapidly scan the item back into active inventory. This mobile computer streamlines the final verification step, helping staff confidently manage viable blood stocks. The HC50 features a 6-inch FHD+ screen with 20% more viewing area than earlier TC5X-HC models, allowing users to view more data at a glance with less scrolling.
Maximising efficiency and patient safety in healthcare
This solution provides immense strategic value by mitigating the high costs of wasted blood while supporting patient safety. It delivers operational certainty, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care with full confidence in their blood supply chain.
Note:
Use case figures, savings estimates and images are illustrative only and may be derived from customer data, projections, or controlled testing. They do not represent guaranteed results, and actual outcomes will vary by application; customers should consult a Zebra sales representative to evaluate their specific environment.
