About and Activities

As a member of the IP Working Party, you have the opportunity to drive forward IT, automated system solutions and standards by sharing experience and knowledge. We discuss the various strategies, IT-related developments and potential new techniques. This WP has five active taskforces:

1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
2. Interface Task Force
3. Security Task Force
4. Traceability Task Force
5. Education Task Force

There are currently about 20 active members in the WPIT. The participation reflects a balanced representation of transfusion medicine/cellular therapy/MPHO facilities and industry from many countries around the world.

Members of the Executive Committee are:

• Suzanne Butch, WP Chair 
• Shankar Goudar, WP Vice-Chair
• Jennifer Davies, WP Secretary
• Wayne Bolton, RFID Task Force Chair
• Shankar Goudar, Interface Task Force Chair
• Paul Ashford, Traceability Task Force Chair
• Shankar Goudar, Security Task Force Chair
• Jennifer Davies, Education Task Force Chair
• Jolanta Antioniewicz-Papis, ICCBBA TAG Representative

During the coming year the WPIT Task Forces will be working toward publishing guidelines on interfacing equipment to laboratory information systems, security of computerized systems in the laboratory and donor center, and RFID technology; adding educational materials to the web pages; and developing guidelines on external electronic communication of traceability information. 

1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

The RFID Task Force (chairperson: Wayne Bolton, Australia) will determine how this technology can continue to be operationalized into transfusion medicine improving traceability, quality, and safety of the blood supply.

Anticipated actions are:

1. Evaluate the current ISBT RFID standard and its utility and create guidelines for use.
2. Complete the manuscript and seek publication in Vox Sanguinis

2. Interface

The Interface Task Force (chairperson Shankar Goudar, USA) will be updating a guideline ISBT Guidelines for Information Security in Transfusion Medicine: 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1423-0410.2006.00779.x

Anticipated actions are:

1. Evaluate the proposed revision and prepare a manuscript. 
2. Submit for publication in Vox Sanguinis 

3. Traceability

The Traceability Task Force (chairperson Paul Ashford, UK) will extend the discussion of guidelines for traceability to include guidance on external electronic communication of traceability information. 

Anticipated actions are:

1. Develop a manuscript.
2. Submit for publication in Vox Sanguinis

4. Security Task Force

The assault on our electronic communications systems is never-ending. The Security Task Force (chairperson Shankar Goudar, USA) will write guidelines for maintaining secure electronic communications. 

Anticipated actions are:

1. Create a manuscript with current best practices for maintaining secure electronic communications. 
2. Prepare the manuscript for publication in Vox Sanguinis

5. Education Task Force

The goals of the Education Task Force (chairperson Jennifer Davies, UK) are to post educational media on the WPIT web pages. 

Anticipated actions are:

1. Work with the Central Office to identify methods of posting materials    
2. Submit educational materials for posting
3. Maintain the web pages

Full members of the WP will have interest in the WP process and must be active or honorary members of ISBT. Observer status may be afforded to non-members of ISBT for a period of up to 2 years.

Observers may attend and participate in the WP meetings, but may not vote.

The WPIT members should have:

• Knowledge of the use of IT in the fields of transfusion and transplantation
• Knowledge of and working in transfusion medicine, cellular therapy, and/or related areas
• Ability to support ISBT WPIT activities on a volunteer basis (free-of-charge) with their employer’s consent and support
• Good communication skills

Interested in joining the WPIT? Complete the below online form.