Get to know ISBT 128

ISBT 128 sets a global standard for the identification, labeling and information processing of human blood, tissue and organ products across international borders and disparate health care systems. The standard has been designed to ensure the highest levels of accuracy, safety and efficiency for the benefit of donors, patients and official ISBT 128 licensed facilities worldwide.

Featuring a unique, highly flexible and comprehensive coding method for every collected product, ISBT 128 provides international consistency to support the transfer, transfusion or transplantation of blood and tissue products.

A Global Response to A Multinational Need

In a world of multinational disaster relief programs, far flung military operations, and international data stores, the need for an authoritative standard upheld by the professional community is essential. Across borders, governments and health care systems, ISBT 128 ensures that the blood, tissue or cellular therapy products collected from donors in one location may be safely and effectively transfused or transplanted in another. The comprehensive labeling capabilities of ISBT 128 ensure that such critical information as identification number, blood group, product description and expiration date appears in fixed positions, can be read by secure electronic means, and effectively reduces the risk of accidental misuse with products from multiple countries or facilities.

Use of ISBT 128 is governed and administered by ICCBBA and the payment of a licensing fee is required.

A Unifying Standard

Approved by the ISBT Council in 1994, the ISBT 128 standard has gained international acceptance and is now officially endorsed by the American Association of Blood Banks, European Plasma Fractionators Association, European Blood Alliance and the American Red Cross. Its use for Cellular Therapy products is supported by the boards of the AABB, ASBMT, EBMT, FACT, ISBT, ISCT, ISCT Europe, JACIE, NMDP and WMDA.

Currently, facilities in 50 countries across six continents are registered to use ISBT 128, and its adherents continue to grow in number.

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Revised: 24 September 2008