'Tag and label' system for checking and recording of blood transfusions

Guidelines for checking and recording of blood transfusion mandate the use of a blood transfusion compatibility form. We have introduced and assessed a 'tag and label' system that does away with the compatibility form. A compatibility tag with a peel-off self-adhesive label is attached to the unit for transfusion. No compatibility form is issued to the site of the transfusion. The peel-off label is signed and fixed in patient notes at the time of transfusion. We have found the system easier to use and to be preferred by nursing staff administering transfusions. During 2 years, we have transfused over 100,000 blood components, including 70,000 units of red cells, and have not recognized any episode during which the wrong blood was transfused to a patient. Recording in the patient notes of units transfused has significantly improved compared with local and national figures in a previous survey. We conclude that it is possible to dispense with the compatibility form without compromising the safety of the transfusion process.