‘Health Minister’ launches RFID system to boost blood transfusion services in Kuwait

• The RFID system is crucial for reducing human errors related to patient identification and blood type mismatches.

• It also improves operational efficiency by keeping a current database.

• The system uses RFID chips on blood bags to track and monitor the blood supply accurately.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, highlighted the significant advancements brought by the introduction of the Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) in managing blood transfusions and derivatives.

This innovative system enables precise tracking of the entire supply chain, from donor to beneficiary, ensuring greater transparency and enhancing trust in the safety and quality of blood products for patients.

During the inauguration, today, Thursday, Minister Al-Awadhi in his speech emphasized that the RFID system marks a groundbreaking development in healthcare services. Minister Al-Awadhi described it as a milestone in advancing patient safety and elevating the quality of healthcare delivery. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the ministry’s vision, the national health strategy, and the country’s development plan.

Minister Al-Awadhi elaborated that the RFID system plays a crucial role in minimizing human errors associated with patient identification and blood type mismatches. By leveraging automated tracking and examination processes, the system significantly boosts patient safety while improving the overall quality of healthcare services delivered.

Importantly, Minister Al-Awadhi highlighted the integration of this advanced technology within the Central Blood Bank and its eight branches, as well as its application in all external blood donation campaigns. This initiative aims to ensure optimal distribution and precise management of the national blood stock.

Minister Al-Awadhi noted that the RFID system also enhances the efficiency of operational processes by maintaining an up-to-date database. This capability enables rapid emergency response and expedites the screening and tracking of blood bags, ultimately saving time and effort while achieving the highest standards of efficiency.

Furthermore, Minister Al-Awadhi emphasized that the Ministry of Health remains committed to advancing digital infrastructure and fostering innovation in healthcare services. These efforts aim to address the needs of citizens and residents while ensuring full compliance with the highest international standards of quality and safety.

On the other hand, Dr. Reem Al-Radwan, Director of the Blood Transfusion Services Department at the Ministry of Health, stated that the adoption of RFID technology reflects the ministry’s dedication to leveraging the latest technological advancements as part of its comprehensive digital transformation strategy.

Dr. Al-Radwan highlighted that international studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of RFID technology in enhancing the safety of blood transfusions in developed countries. She noted that this aligns with the ministry’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in this critical area of healthcare.

Moreover, Dr. Al-Radwan explained that the system incorporates RFID chips on blood bags to encode essential tracking data. This technology enables precise and comprehensive monitoring of the blood supply, whether during storage or while being transported to hospitals, ensuring enhanced traceability and safety.

Dr. Al-Radwan emphasized that implementing this technology represents a crucial step in improving blood stock management and addressing national requirements with high efficiency. She noted that it strengthens the healthcare system’s capacity to meet growing demands, particularly in light of the significant expansion of healthcare services.

Regarding Health Ministry’s goals, Dr. Al-Radwan highlighted that the launch of this technology embodies the Ministry of Health’s vision for building an integrated health system. By adopting RFID, Kuwait is taking a strategic step towards achieving comprehensive digital transformation, positioning the country among the leading nations in delivering innovative and effective health services.

Dr. Al-Radwan mentioned that the Blood Transfusion Services Department successfully collected approximately 90,000 blood bags this year.

Additionally, they produced more than 215,000 products of various blood components, including blood platelets and plasma. These efforts are aimed at meeting the clinical needs of cancer patients, thalassemia patients, accident victims, and cases requiring blood transfusions.

Dr. Al-Radwan noted that this project aligns with the strategic vision of the Ministry of Health to enhance the quality and sustainability of health services. It reflects a commitment to adopting the latest scientific and international trends to provide effective healthcare solutions.

Source: Al Qabas