Uniform labelling
Canadian guidelines for the uniform labelling of blood and blood components using ISBT 128
Labelling of blood and blood components by blood operators in Canada aligns with the ISBT 128 Standard: Technical Specification (published by ICCBBA, Inc.), the definitive source describing the ISBT 128 labelling standard. There are several options outlined in this document that are to be nationally determined. The Canadian Guidelines for the Uniform Labelling of Blood and Blood Components Using ISBT 128 describes the options selected by the Canadian blood operators, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, for use in Canada and is intended to be used in conjunction with the ISBT 128 Standard: Technical Specification.
For further information regarding ISBT 128, or to access the ISBT 128 Standard: Technical Specification, visit the ICCBBA website at ICCBBA.org. Access to ISBT 128 databases is provided to facilities that register with ICCBBA, Inc. and updates will be made available to facilities that maintain their registration through payment of an annual license fee.
A guide to ISBT 128 implementation
ISBT 128 is an international standard for the labelling of blood components with the objective of achieving international consistency in the information provided on component end labels and the placement of such information. The standard uses Code 128 barcode symbology which is more robust and offers more data control. One of the key benefits of the ISBT 128 labelling standard is the unique numbering of all blood components. The information on this website is intended to provide background to assist hospital staff as they transition to the ISBT 128 standard.
Below are information and resources that hospitals may find useful as they prepare for ISBT 128 implementation:
- ISBT 128 an Introduction – informational document prepared by ICCBBA (English only).
- Customer Letter 2008-06 – ISBT128 Planned Implementation at Canadian Blood Services
- Customer Letter 2008-28 – ISBT 128 Sample Labels and Product Codes
- Customer Letter 2009-08 – ISBT 128 Labelling Standard Implementation at Canadian Blood Services
- Customer Letter 2009-13 – Details about the ISBT 128 Labelling Standard Implementation at Canadian Blood Services
- Customer Letter 2009-15 – Important Information Regarding ISBT 128 Implementation
- Canadian Blood Services – ISBT 128 Implementation - Information for Hospital Customers
- ISBT 128 Implementation at Canadian Blood Services Video Presentation (English only)
- ISBT 128 Posters
- ISBT Donation Number
- ISBT 128 Product Codes and Label Text
- ISBT 128 Product Codes and Label Text
- Sample Component Labels
- Revised Sample Component Labels
- Sample Checklist for ISBT 128 Implementation Readiness
- Sample of Label Subset - Back of Whole Blood / Red Blood Cell Components
- Sample PROGESA Packing Slip
- Diagnostic Services Packing Slip Example
- ISBT 128 Barcode Samples – barcode samples provided by ICCBBA
- ISBT 128 Information Presentation
- ISBT 128 Information Presentations (English only, French available on request)
- ISBT 128 Labelling Standard - Hospital Perspective
- ISBT 128 Labelling Standard - Hospital IT Perspective
- ISBT 128 Labelling Standard - Hospital Transfusion Service
- ISBT 128 Canadian Blood Services Facility Codes
- ISBT 128 Canadian Blood Services Blood Group Codes
- ISBT 128 Labelling Standard – Data Structures and Data Identifiers
- ISBT 128 Frequently Asked Questions
- Links
Questions?
If you have a specific question about ISBT 128 that is not answered in the information above, please contact your Canadian Blood Services Hospital Liaison Specialist.