How to choose blood bank software: a 12-point checklist

Ask every vendor these 12 questions

1. Will it refuse to issue an expired or incompatible bag?

   Ask them to try it in the demo. A warning that can be clicked past is not the same as a hard stop.

2. Does every bag get scanned at issue and at the bedside?

   The issue scan should check the crossmatch and reservation; the bedside scan should check the patient's wristband.

3. Is a second person required to verify grouping and crossmatch?

   Self-verification should be impossible, not just discouraged.

4. What happens automatically when a TTI result is reactive?

   Look for automatic discard of all components, donor deferral and look-back of earlier donations.

5. Which statutory registers does it print?

   Check against your Drugs and Cosmetics Act registers and the NBTC monthly summary.

6. Can it export to eRaktKosh?

   At minimum an export in the expected format; ask about direct sync plans.

7. How does it connect to our HIS?

   Ask for API documentation. Standards such as HL7 FHIR make integration easier with any HIS.

8. Does it handle donors and camps, including offline?

   Camps often have poor internet. An offline tablet app that syncs later saves re-entry.

9. Who can see confidential donor results?

   Reactive results and deferral reasons should be restricted to medical and lab staff.

10. Is there a full audit trail?

    Every change should record who, when, and the old and new values.

11. Where is the data stored, and how is it backed up?

    Ask about servers in India, daily backups and a tested restore.

12. Who supports us at 2 am?

    Blood banks run around the clock. Ask about support hours and response times.

Print this checklist

How does Caresoft BBMS answer these?

Yes to all twelve, including hard stops at issue and bedside, automatic look-back, eRaktKosh export, HL7 FHIR integration and an offline camp app. The feature guide shows where each one lives.

Test these 12 points in a demo