In preparation for the introduction of a new blood tracking system in the autumn, patient wristbands will look slightly different from Friday 25th May. There are no changes to the way colleagues use the barcode and new wristbands do not need printing out after Friday.

The new system (called Blood Track) will allow us to control the way blood products are requested, transfused and dispensed.  It will require us to have verification checks on blood products, the staff administering those products and the patient receiving them.

To help with this we are making a small change to the patient wristband, by adding a “2D” barcode (see the small square barcode on the image).

The wristbands will change this Friday 25th May. This makes no difference to the way you currently use the standard barcode, and you don't have to re-print the bands after Friday.

The new barcode will only be used for the administration of blood products and not for any other function.

More information on the blood tracking project will be coming soon via the project team as the system is due to go live in autumn, with training taking place beforehand.