Data interchange and related technologies in transfusion medicine

The transfusion medicine data interchange needs involve varying types of equipment and systems including blood collection and processing systems, component separation automation, laboratory instruments and automation systems (e.g. the ones used for screening of infectious markers), and various information management systems (e.g. laboratory information management systems donation/production management, and invoicing systems). Interfacing challenges and extra costs arise due to a lack of a common and open definition for the instrument interface, and a lack of a common conceptual framework for data interchange between systems and instruments. Standardization of data interchange is a need recognized by the end users and vendors. This is why the ISBT has launched a new Automated System Interface Task Force in September 2006 to establish a standard specification for transferring information between equipment and information management systems.