Component labelling

Blood and blood products are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under the Therapeutic Goods Act, and the component label is part of those regulatory requirements. The label uniquely links the donation to the donor to ensure traceability and contains other mandatory information about the product.

Codabar label 

The label format (shown in the image below) was the previously used Codabar linear format.

example of the previously used codabar linear format label

ISBT 128 labelling

In 2018, Lifeblood moved to the ISBT 128 (Information Standard for Blood and Transplant) labelling standard for blood component labels.

The ISBT 128 labelling standard is internationally recognised and improves blood component traceability for the safety of patients and donors.

Blood component labels contain clinically important information specific to each individual unit. These labels can also have modifier texts, such as red cell phenotype or CMV antibody status.

There’ll be a period of mixed inventory, as some Codabar labelled blood components will not expire for some time after the implementation of ISBT 128 (e.g. 10 years for frozen red blood cells). You can find specific details about Codabar labels in the Label and Component Information document.

Remember to check labels prior to transfusion to ensure that the unit meets the transfusion requirements of the patient.

Right patient, right product, right time.

 

ISBT 128 transition label

With the move to the ISBT 128 standard, blood component labels will change with the introduction of a new ISBT 128 ‘Component Transition Label’ (shown below). This will include both ISBT 128 barcodes as well as the current Codabar linear barcodes, allowing health providers who do not yet have ISBT 128 capability to continue managing their inventory without interruption. 

example of ISBT 128 transition label

Please send any queries to your local transfusion scientist.

Download the Australian Guidelines for the Labelling of the Blood Components using ISBT128.

Check Character Calculation

Donations Identification Number Calculator Tool

The Donations Identification Number (DIN) Calculator Tool can be used to convert Transition CODABAR donation numbers from blood components into ISBT128 donation numbers.

CAUTION: At Lifeblood, donations collected in:

  • December of a current year, e.g. 2023, may be assigned an ISBT128 DIN for either the current year (A530023 ...) OR the upcoming year 2024 (A530024 ...).
  • January of a new year, e.g. 2024, may be assigned an ISBT128 DIN for either the new year (A530024 ...) OR the previous year (A530023…).
    For components collected in December or January of any year, contact Lifeblood for assistance in identifying the related ISBT128 number when required.

The tool can also be used to find the ISBT128 manual check character.

Explore this topic further

Label modifier text

Blood components can be further modified during the manufacturing process to meet the clinical needs of certain patients. These modifications will be printed on the blood component label under the component description.

Learn more
The Australian Guidelines for the Labelling of the Blood Components using ISBT128

The Australian Guidelines for the Labelling of the Blood Components using ISBT128

Guide
label information thumbnail

Label and component information

Information Sheet
Blood Component Information: An Extension of Blood Component Labels thumbnail

Blood Component Information: An Extension of Blood Component Labels

Guide
Information Sheet
ISBT 128 A5 Transition label Guide

ISBT 128 A5 Transition label Guide

Guide
ISBT 128 A5 Label Guide

ISBT 128 A5 Label Guide

Guide
ISBT 128 Nurses Handout

ISBT 128 Nurses Handout

Guide
ISBT 128 Frequently asked questions

ISBT 128 Frequently asked questions

Information Sheet
ISBT128 A4 Implementation Plan Example

ISBT128 A4 Implementation Plan Example

Guide
Lifeblood and National Blood Authority (NBA) customer letter Introduction of ISBT 128 2D DataMatrix and removal of transition Codabar barcodes

Lifeblood and National Blood Authority (NBA) customer letter Introduction of ISBT 128 2D DataMatrix and removal of transition Codabar barcodes

A letter to Australian Health Providers regarding the introduction of ISBT 128 2D DataMatrix and removal of transition Codabar barcodes

Guide
Information Sheet
Blood Service Component Guide

Blood Service Component Guide

Guide

Further information