Barcoding in the Blood Sector

The Jurisdictional Blood Committee (JBC) has endorsed the following National Policy on Barcoding for Blood and Blood Products:

ISBT 128 for all fresh blood products; and
GS1 128 (formally EAN 128) for all plasma, recombinant and diagnostic products.
Full implementation of these barcode standards is to occur by 1 July 2011

This was endorsed by the JBC on 24 May 2007.

Background

At the request of a range of Stakeholders for a consistent policy in relation to barcoding requirements, the NBA undertook an extensive consultation process in 2006 that included public forum discussion and release of a discussion paper. Stakeholders indicated wide support for the adoption of a barcoding standard in the Blood Sector - the major point of difference between stakeholders was in relation to implementation timing, with most respondents recommending a 2 year implementation timeframe.

To support implementation of the standard, the NBA will undertake the following actions:

As contracts for the supply of plasma derived, recombinant and diagnostic blood products are renewed, the NBA will require all suppliers to meet the GS1 128 standard. This will result in the GS1 standard being fully mandated under Government contracts by 1 July 2011.
The NBA will negotiate for full implementation of the ISBT standard for fresh blood products by 1 July 2011 with ARCBS.
The NBA will formally promulgate the policy and implementation strategy to all Approved Health Providers/Approved Recipients. This will include a request for advice of likely issues and obstacles. Resulting issues will be managed on a case by case basis.
The NBA will assist Jurisdictions were possible with any information they require to implement the policy within their States and Territories. There may be opportunities for Jurisdictions to leverage work already being done in the broader health area to minimise the impact of this new policy.

Update - Barcoding for Blood and blood Products

Following consideration of the outstanding technical, policy and capability requirements for the sector to move to the previously announced National Policy on Barcoding for Blood and Blood Products, JBC at its meeting of 28 May 2010, agreed to change the timing of full implementation of this standard, originally planed to be completed by 1 July 2011.

The NBA will now commence work with stakeholders including suppliers to fully understand current capability and obstacles to implementation and develop a project plan to complete the implementation of this policy. Details of the project plan and timelines will be announced following a consultation process.

For further details or questions, please contact John Burns at the NBA at barcoding@nba.gov.au

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