Date:07/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/07/stories/2005040701120200.htm

Back Terumo Penpol unveils updated version of blood bank software

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , April 6

TERUMO Penpol, a joint venture of Terumo Corporation of Japan and Peninsula Polymers based here and specialising in the manufacture of blood bags and blood banking equipment, has introduced Portia 3.1, an enhanced version of its blood bank management solution.

Terumo Penpol had forayed into software development as early as in 1996 by launching Portia, the blood management system software designed to manage all blood bank operations and to substantially improve the quality of blood transfusion services.

A Terumo Penpol spokeswoman told Business Line that Portia is designed to record complete donor particulars ranging from donor personnel/official details, medical history and physical examination when the donor registers for blood collection.

Specific data that can be generated from the software include the number of donors turning in, donor identification numbers, camp details, recordings for camp collections and recipient details (in case of replacement donor). Donor motivation letter also can be generated using the system.

The software is equipped to handle a number of related work including error- free cross matching, generation of data on serology, component level administration of blood units and separation details, easy issue of whole blood/components, blood distribution to other transfusion centres, tracking of distribution of blood units to recipients and reference of previous issues to the recipient.

It is also designed to carry out automated tracking of blood components and can pinpoint expiry date and component characteristics based on the data given in the master database. It maintains a list of hospitals and doctors the user has been constantly in touch with and even keeps track of the duty staff. It also generates management reports including statistical and graphical analysis.

The software provides for an interactive interface and affords multi-level password protection. It issues an automatic alert on expiry of blood units with suitable warning and reduces wastage of blood and its components, apart from clerical work. ISO 9000 compatible, it enables good manufacturing practices (GMP) to be followed.