For more than 30 years, blood labeling has been standardized. First with Codabar and now with ISBT 128, standardized coding has improved the safety and efficiency of the blood transfusion process. Such standardization is taken for granted by blood banks, but is not found in the labeling of other medical products of human origin (MPHO). Recognizing that tissues and cells are frequently distributed across international borders, in 2010 the World Health Organization urged member states to encourage the implementation of globally consistent coding systems for human cells, tissues, and organs as such in order to facilitate national and international traceability of materials of human origin for transplantation.
This lecture will explore the rationale for, and the global status of, ISBT 128 as the single globally consistent coding system for MPHOs.

Award Description: This award, renamed in 2005 after Bernice Hemphill, W. Quinn Jordan, and Joel Solomon, honors leaders from the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community. The award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in the areas of administration, quality programs, law and/or government affairs. The individual has demonstrated leadership qualities and a consistent willingness to lend his/her expertise to his/her peers. The award may recognize one particular act or an accumulation of contributions throughout many years.