Wireless technology ensures safe transfer of blood and organs

The system will help track blood

NHS health trusts are in talks with a company that provides technology to automatically track the transfer of organs and blood.

The system, called Bio-Track, is the result of a joint venture of three companies and uses a wireless tracking and temperature monitoring system to ensure the safe and prompt arrival of blood and organs to hospitals.

Currently the successful transit of blood and organs is dependent on precise and regular temperature checks throughout the journey.

If the temperature of the cargo varies, it can lead to organ deterioration and haemolysis - a condition affecting the red blood cells which makes blood and organ donations unusable.

The new system can measure temperature automatically and transfer readings without the need to open the containers.

A radio frequency ID (RFID) tag attached to the object can transfer messages through thick materials without the use of wires. The data is then sent over mobile phone networks, allowing an object to be tracked in real time.

One of the companies behind the system is Overview Mapping. Andrew Overton, managing director of the firm, said: "It means you can wirelessly check the temperatures of multiple objects. We can read 100 different temperatures in one vehicle."

Overton said the system will allow medics to make necessary preparations ahead of the arrival of the organ or blood. He said the firm is in talks with " all of the individual NHS branches".

Overview Mapping also plans to adapt the technology for the food industry.