Blood banks, unbeknownst to none, are at the heart of the healthcare system, the only place people can turn to when in need of blood for lifesaving transfusions. Not only do they act as storehouses of quality blood, but they also help in the timely distribution of it, saving lives every second.
However, efficiently managing blood supplies isn’t an easy undertaking. Traditional methods of blood bank inventory management handling have only resulted in increased wastage.
India faces an annual blood deficit averaging 1.7 million units, with demand projected at ~15 million units against collections of ~13–13.5 million units. Yearly shortfalls fluctuate due to systemic challenges: for instance, the deficit spiked to 3 million units in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping donations by 25%, while recent years (2022–2023) show modest recovery (~1.6–1.8 million deficit).
Compounding this scarcity, ~6.5 lakh units (650,000) of blood are wasted annually due to inadequate storage and distribution inefficiencies, per NACO reports.
It was thus time we turned to modern technology for a solution, and so we did, bringing blood bank software into the picture. Streamlining operations, these tools are devised to optimize inventory management and help blood banks lessen wastage. How? You ask. Read on as we give you five key ways they accomplish that as an answer…
The software provides real-time updates on their blood inventory. These solutions keep a check on the movement of blood units, right from their collection to final distribution. Accordingly, whilst storing blood supplies, these ensure proper labelling, so the type of blood in store, its collection/expiration date, and storage location become known.
This database allows blood banks to have an accurate knowledge of their inventory at all times, minimizing overstocking or understocking issues. These tools are also programmed to send alerts about expiring units, so no blood bags get wasted in the process.
Suggested Read: How Automation in Blood Bank Management Enhances Safety & Efficiency?
Another way in which software optimizes blood bank inventory management is through its forecasting potentiality. Since demand for blood does not remain static and is directly proportional to changes in the number of medical emergencies, hospitals must plan their stocks accordingly.
Blood bank software can help them accomplish the same. Using it, hospitals can analyse historical demand data and trends to make predictions regarding future blood demand. The information acquired thus can be used to collect the right blood types in the right quantities, lowering the chances of both deficit and excess.
RAKT Blood Bank Software
Starting Price
₹ 96000.00 excl. GST
Since blood comes with an expiry date, hospitals need to make use of it in time to evade wastage. The same, if not required at the source hospital, can be transferred to other facilities in need. However, blood banks struggle to achieve this on their own.
Blood bank software assists them by automating the stock rotation process to ensure timely consumption of blood. It also follows a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) system to make certain that older blood units get prioritized for usage first. This automation reduces the risk of human errors in stock rotation and puts a timely end to blood wastage once and for all.
Suggested Read: Why Every Hospital Needs Blood Bank Management System?
Blood bank software provides advanced integration tools to boost communication between blood banks and hospitals or blood donation centres. Using them, blood banks can share real-time updates on their blood inventory levels with these healthcare facilities.
They can also use it to send alerts regarding new donation demands in case they are running low on a specific blood type. Blood donation centers can accordingly launch donation drives to meet the said demand.
Hospitals, on the other hand, can leverage integration to raise requirement requests, so the right blood type reaches the right patient at the right time. This ensures that blood bags get transferred wherever needed at the scheduled time, reducing any chances of wastage or loss.
Ezovion Blood Bank Software
Starting Price
Price on Request
Blood banks must confirm to a host of regulatory guidelines and quality control standards to operate smoothly and efficiently. Blood bank software helps them fulfil these compliance formalities by automating documentation and ensuring the safety and quality of the blood supply.
It also offers robust reporting tools to track the overall usage and wastage of blood inventory. The data obtained thus helps blood banks make strategic changes in their inventory handling; changes that assist them in staying compliant with regulatory agencies.
When operating in like manner, the chances of wastage get minimized to a great extent. Since these tools are also designed to track the storage conditions of blood units, wastage owing to contamination gets cut down further.
Strides iTRANS
Starting Price
Price on Request
Conclusion
Since blood is the essence of life and its availability depends on factors not necessarily in one’s control, we mustn’t let it go to waste. Blood bank software, as a healthcare tool, as such has a crucial role to play in its handling and preservation. By optimizing processes, it can ensure that every drop of this lifesaving elixir is put to its best use and ends up saving lives.
If this has somehow convinced you to buy one for your blood bank, the market is filled with a host of options for you to choose from.
Some of the software’s most popular specimens in this regard include Bagmo, eBloodBanking, RAKT Blood Bank Software, Strides iTRANS, etc.
Ever since the existence of HR, performance evaluations (or appraisals) have been thing of… Read More
AI object removal removers are revolutionizing photo editing by enabling users to eliminate distractions—such as… Read More
To talk about healthcare and not make mention of technology and the role it plays… Read More
Data loss can hit business like a sudden tidal wave. It wipes out everything… Read More
Look at your finances closely and take moment to reflect: Is your money working… Read More
Hope thrives in blood banks, but managing them is certainly no simple affair! Even small… Read More
