Hemosoft: a new software for blood bank and apheresis management.
BACKGROUND
Blood banks (BB) generate large volumes of information relating to patients and blood products sometimes stored indefinitely. Today computers are the main keys used to manage this task. BB information systems are developed mainly to assist BB specialists.


METHODS
We developed a new software, Hemosoft, in our blood bank. We have carried out a great deal of research into BB programs around the world in terms of program features. Using the latest technology, Hemosoft has been designed to run on a multi-user platform on the basis of a modular structure, and high security levels.


RESULTS
Hemosoft's structural advantages are: (1) its modular structure and client/server architecture reduce initial hardware costs. (2) Relational database structure provides consistent and secure data access, (3) user-friendly graphical interface, (4) according to operational needs, Hemosoft can be expanded and transferred on to different platforms. As a MS Windows based program with graphical user interfacing, Hemosoft has all the functions and advantages of windows based applications. Barcode printing is available to ISBT 128 standard. Hemosoft's integrated modules are: blood donation, transfusion, product management, administrative follow-up, apheresis, stock management, staff-management, inter-center communication, statistics, archive, internet and video-conferencing systems, accounts, integration and security.


CONCLUSIONS
It fulfills international transfusion medicine requirements, legislative measures and guidelines. We believe that Hemosoft is a high quality, competitive program developed to meet international standards. It is our hope that it will enforce transfusion medicine and blood banking nationwide.
Arslan
Onder
O
Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ibni Sina Hospital, Department of Hematology, Hemapheresis Unit and Blood Bank, Sihhiye 06100 Ankara, Turkey. arslan@medicine.ankara.edu
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001781:Blood Component Removal; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D012984:Software