Ⅰ RFID Technology

RFID is an automatic identification technology that utilizes radio frequency signals for non-contact information exchange through space coupling. Its basic components include electronic tags (tags), readers, and a backend management system. The electronic tags are embedded with chips and antennas, which can store a certain amount of data, while the reader is responsible for transmitting and receiving RF signals, and reading the data within the tags. The backend management system is used for processing and storing the data read from the tags.

Compared to traditional barcode technology, RFID has multiple advantages such as non-contact identification, the ability to read multiple tags simultaneously, read/write capabilities, and higher data storage capacity. Therefore, RFID technology is considered an ideal choice for solving many problems in existing blood management systems.

Ⅱ Implementation Strategy of RFID Blood Management System 

2.1 RFID Blood Collection Management

The RFID handheld device scans the RFID information in the blood donation barcode, recording information such as the donor’s name, start, and completion time of blood collection, resolving issues of unclear responsibility in blood management. After blood collection, the donor’s name, gender, blood type, ID number, and other information are written into the RFID chip of the voluntary blood donation card. This not only speeds up the investigation of donor information but also enhances the anti-counterfeiting capability of the blood donation card, ensuring the accuracy and security of the information.

2.2 RFID Blood Preparation Management

Batch import blood into the software, and the inspectors release the test results. Once the blood passes the tests, the label status of the corresponding blood is changed to “pending storage” and can be stored. For unqualified blood, the label status is changed to “unqualified,” and the system writes in the scrapping information and reasons. This provides sufficient information for subsequent blood tracking management, making the entire process more transparent and reliable.

2.3 RFID Blood Testing Management

The preparation personnel’s identification card and blood bags are scanned via a radio frequency antenna, recording information such as the preparer’s preparation time and type. Upon completion of blood preparation, print the RFID blood bag label. The RFID blood bag label records basic information such as the blood donation number, blood type, blood volume, as well as valid information like the preparer’s number, the blood collection unit, and the blood’s expiration date. These records help ensure the traceability and safety of the blood at various stages.

2.4 RFID Blood Storage and Retrieval Management

1. Storage Management

Before placing the blood bags in the refrigerator, the staff pass the blood frame through a smart door, where the RFID tags on the blood bags enter the read/write range of the smart door. The tag information is read, filtered through middleware, and transmitted to the backend database. The system displays information such as blood type, category, and specifications on the smart door’s LCD screen. Staff confirm the accuracy of the storage data based on the displayed content. Simultaneously, the smart door writes information such as storage time, type, personnel, and refrigerator number into the RFID blood management system, ensuring that every blood bag’s storage information is accurately recorded.

2. Retrieval Management

The system issues a retrieval command, directing the staff to fetch the specified type, specification, and quantity of blood from the designated area. During retrieval, the system records the retrieval time, blood expiration date, and other secondary information. The retrieval order is determined by system analysis of the information. Blood of the same specification is required to follow the first-in-first-out principle to avoid inventory backlog and wastage due to expired blood. Additionally, for blood awaiting inspection, unqualified, or expired, the system will sound an alert when passing through the smart door to ensure the quality and safety of the retrieved blood.

2.5 RFID Clinical Blood Use Management

Before transfusion, doctors scan the patient’s wristband tag with a handheld device to confirm the patient’s name, gender, drug allergy status, and other information. Then, they scan the RFID blood bag tag to confirm the blood type, volume, and other information to check if the blood matches the patient. Transfusion is only carried out if the match is successful. This process ensures the safety and accuracy of blood transfusions, significantly reducing the risk of transfusion accidents.

2.6 RFID Blood Tracking Management

Using a handheld device or desktop reader to scan the RFID blood bag tag, the unique RFID code can be used to search for the blood bag’s identity information in the national blood information center database. Based on the retrieved IP address, enter the next-level blood information center database to find information about the blood bag. This information reveals the current status of the blood bag, whether it is in storage, used, or scrapped due to spoilage. If it has been used, the user’s complete information can also be found. This comprehensive tracking management ensures the traceability of the blood throughout its lifecycle, improving the transparency of blood management.

2.7 RFID Blood Quality Control Management

Wireless temperature sensor tags monitor the temperature and humidity around the blood bags in real-time, recording the measurement data in the tag chip. When the temperature or humidity exceeds the system’s set range, the tag actively sends out a radio frequency signal to activate the alarm device, alerting the staff to ensure the quality and shelf life of the blood. This function ensures the safety and quality of blood during storage and transportation.

Ⅲ Advantages of RFID Applications in Blood Management Systems

1. Improve Management Efficiency and Accuracy

Rapid Batch Identification: RFID technology supports the simultaneous identification of multiple tags, enabling rapid batch identification of a large number of blood bags during handover and inventory checks. This avoids the cumbersome process of manually scanning each bag with traditional barcode technology, thereby greatly improving management efficiency. This not only saves a lot of human resources but also makes the entire process smoother and more efficient.

2. Reduce Human Errors: Automated identification through RFID technology reduces errors in manual operations, such as information entry mistakes and incorrect blood bag distribution, thereby improving the accuracy of blood bag management. The introduction of automated systems can also provide data backup and verification, ensuring that every step is accurate, further enhancing the management level.

3.Real-Time Tracking and Monitoring of Blood Bag Information

Full Lifecycle Tracking: RFID technology enables full lifecycle tracking of blood bags from donation, storage, transportation to usage. Each blood bag is tagged with an RFID label that stores detailed information about the bag, such as donor name, blood type, and blood group. By reading the RFID tags, information at each stage can be recorded and queried in real-time, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the blood, and avoiding waste and misuse. The entire tracking process can be updated in real-time, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of the information.

Real-Time Monitoring and Positioning: By deploying an RFID reader network, real-time monitoring and positioning of blood bags can be achieved. In case of emergency transfusions, medical staff can quickly locate the required blood bags, ensuring timely treatment for patients. The system can also provide alert functions, immediately notifying relevant personnel when blood bags move to inappropriate areas.

4.Improve Blood Quality and Safety

Reduce Contamination Risk: The non-contact identification feature of RFID technology reduces the possibility of contamination during the identification process, thereby ensuring the quality and safety of the blood. Non-contact operations also reduce the chance of bacterial and viral transmission, further ensuring the purity of the blood.

Temperature Monitoring: RFID tags can be combined with temperature sensors to monitor temperature changes during the storage and transportation of blood bags in real-time. When the temperature exceeds the preset range, the system will immediately issue an alert, ensuring that the blood does not deteriorate due to uncontrolled temperature. This real-time monitoring can prevent any potential impact of temperature fluctuations on blood quality.

5.Optimize Blood Allocation and Inventory Management

Efficient Allocation: The application of RFID technology enables blood stations in different locations to allocate blood more efficiently, improving the utilization efficiency of blood resources. Through a central database, blood stations can share blood inventory information, achieving more precise and rapid allocation.

Dynamic Inventory Management: The RFID system can display inventory information in real-time, helping management quickly understand the inventory situation, optimize inventory structure, and avoid blood overstock and waste. The system can also generate detailed inventory reports, assisting management in data analysis and decision-making, ensuring the maximization of blood resources.

Ⅳ Project Bidding Case

In recent years, many countries have seen multiple medical institutions successfully implementing RFID blood management systems. For example, in some large comprehensive hospitals in developed countries, RFID technology has been widely used in blood bank management and transfusion management. By binding RFID tags to blood bags, the entire lifecycle of each bag of blood can be tracked, greatly improving the efficiency and safety of blood management.

In China, a top-tier hospital in Guangzhou has also taken the lead in introducing an RFID blood management system. This system covers the entire process from blood collection, testing, storage, transportation, distribution, to clinical use. Through the application of RFID technology, the hospital has not only effectively improved the efficiency of blood usage but also significantly reduced the incidence of transfusion errors.

Taking RFID smart labels (blood collection labels) as an example, the following special requirements are proposed:

• Low temperature adaptability: The label must remain intact without curling after being placed at 4±2℃ for 72 hours and should remain readable after 10 hours at -80℃.
• Water bath test: After soaking a frozen blood bag in a 37℃ water bath for 2 hours, the label should not curl or exude glue.
• Safety: The label must pass the “acute systemic toxicity test” and meet Reach and Rohs testing standards.
• Label homogeneity and uniqueness: The unique coding of the RFID chip must correspond one-to-one with the 15-digit blood donation code on the blood bag label to ensure label homogeneity; each small label in the 12-link blood collection label must be uniquely identifiable by its RFID chip.
• Composition of RFID 12-link label: Consists of 8 RFID labels (4 tube labels + 4 blood bag labels) and 4 ordinary labels, requiring targeted design based on the differences between tubes and blood bags.
• Label size: Both tube labels and blood bag labels must be ≥25*50mm, with size diagrams provided.
• Back cut design: Must meet specific back cut requirements for easy label tearing, with a complete set of label style diagrams provided.
• Data standard: Using the TID code of the RFID label, achieve 100% accurate binding of the printed surface of the label and the chip TID, with screenshots of the TID and barcode correspondence file provided.

With the continuous advancement of IoT technology and the accumulation of application experience, the RFID blood management system is bound to have a broader development prospect. In the future, with the further integration of IoT, big data, and AI technologies, the RFID blood management system will become more intelligent and efficient. For example, an intelligent blood bank system can predict blood demand through real-time data analysis and optimize inventory management; combined with AI technology, it can achieve more precise blood cross-matching, improving transfusion safety.