What is the Trace Safe™ Blood Tag? It is a specialist tag and label designed to eliminate potential errors in the transfusing of blood. Why was it developed? The introduction of the new 14-digit international numbering system last year identified a number of areas where problems could occur. Blood transfusion nurse Susan Whitehead from the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle worked with Waterston and Groves to solve those problems. The result is the Trace Safe Blood Tag. How does it work? The tag is a single source of information which when processed through a dot matrix or thermal printer is designed so that the 14-digit number can be easily and correctly transcribed. The tag is reinforced at the top to prevent it becoming detached from the blood bag and unlike traditional labels, which are stuck on, it cannot become distorted.		For extra security the transfusion procedure is printed on the tags. When the transfusion is finished details of the two people responsible for carrying it out are recorded on the detachable label which is then attached to the patients case notes. What has been the reaction so far? The Trace Safe™ Blood Tag was developed and pioneered at the Freeman Hospital where it has not only provided a solution to problems caused by the introduction of the 14-digit number, but has also helped streamline the hospitals entire blood transfusion procedure. It makes checking procedures much easier and is an excellent audit tool because the hospital can track where the blood is going. Can anyone use them? Yes, they are a simple, highly efficient and cost effective way of minimising risk - suitable for the Blood Transfusion Service and independent hospital laboratories.