title: Utilizing Radiofrequency Identification Technology to Improve Safety and Management of Blood Bank Supply Chains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of efficiency in the supply chain of perishable products, such as the blood products used in transfusion services, cannot be overstated. Many problems can occur, such as the outdating of products, inventory management issues, patient misidentification, and mistransfusion. The purpose of this article was to identify the benefits and barriers associated with radiofrequency identification (RFID) usage in improving the blood bank supply chain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methodology for this study was a qualitative literature review following a systematic approach. The review was limited to sources published from 2000 to 2014 in the English language. Sixty-five sources were found, and 56 were used in this research study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the finding of the present study, there are numerous benefits and barriers to RFID utilization in blood bank supply chains. RFID technology offers several benefits with regard to blood bank product management, including decreased transfusion errors, reduction of product loss, and more efficient inventory management. Barriers to RFID implementation include the cost associated with system implementation and patient privacy issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of an RFID system can be a significant investment. However, when observing the positive impact that such systems may have on transfusion safety and inventory management, the cost associated with RFID systems can easily be justified. RFID in blood bank inventory management is vital to ensuring efficient product inventory management and positive patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: 1 Healthcare Administration Program, Lewis College of Business, Marketing, and Management, Marshall University , South Charleston, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coustasse
authors.affiliation: 2 College of Health Professions, Marshall University , Huntington, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.affiliation: 1 Healthcare Administration Program, Lewis College of Business, Marketing, and Management, Marshall University , South Charleston, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: 1 Healthcare Administration Program, Lewis College of Business, Marketing, and Management, Marshall University , South Charleston, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hibner
authors.affiliation: 1 Healthcare Administration Program, Lewis College of Business, Marketing, and Management, Marshall University , South Charleston, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Stacie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deslich
mesh_terms: D001771:Blood Banks / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003219:Confidentiality; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057233:Radio Frequency Identification Device / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: blood bank; blood management; perishable supply chain; radiofrequency identification; supply chain; transfusion