We reside in a modern world where digital health services are available and can be accessed online instantly. Despite the apparent abundance of resources, there are still cases where hospitals or blood banks run out of essential resources, such as specific blood type shortages. January is National Blood Donor Month, so we have researched such issues that present themselves as hurdles during blood donation or transfusion events. Also, we have researched applications that might help health personnel efficiently retrieve significant information and acquire resources in times of such emergencies...

1. Making Blood Donation Applications Smart Using
Cloud Computing and IoT
By: Govind Yatnalkar
We reside in a modern world where digital health services are available and can be
accessed online instantly.Despite the apparentabundanceofresources,there arestill cases where
hospitals or blood banks run out of essential resources, such as specific blood type shortages.
January is National Blood Donor Month, so we have researched such issues that present
themselves as hurdles during blood donation or transfusion events. Also, we have researched
applications that might help health personnel efficiently retrieve significant information and
acquire resources in times of such emergencies.
In the United States, a blood donation request is generated approximately every two
seconds, and blood transfusion events save 4.5 million lives annually. One of the major issues
health facilities run into is the shortage of certain blood types. An additional problem is facilities
need access to patient data as quickly as possible before beginning patient blood transfer.1
Considering such issues, the availability and knowledge base of collected blood types with patient
history is critical. Tosolve these issues, modernsoftwareapplications areemployedwith Machine
Learning, Cloud Computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) tools which enable features such as
significant information retrieval, continuous data tracking with analytics, and Cloud-powered
search engines.
IT Synergistics Bexwise is an FDA 510(k)-approved software that facilitates a paperless
blood collection process and an interface through which the collection staff can process patient
registration data seamlessly.2 Another 510(k)-approved software application is the SoftBank.web
decision support system which connects facilities to blood banks and provides manual and
automateddata retrievalinterfaces.Oneofthe key elements required in these tools is patient data
logging and instant data access with notifications. Based on the collected data and using Cloud,
an API network can be created. Using this network, these systems can communicate and notify
each other in cases where a specific resource stock goes below a pre-defined threshold.
Additionally, using AI/ ML algorithms on user registration data, users can be classified as ‘fit’ or
‘unfit’ for a blood donation event, saving a large amount of time and healthcare resources. Surely,
such cutting-edge technologies assist in enhancing digital healthcare services by connecting users
1 Amy Bl air. (December 2020). January is National Blood Donor Month. Retrieved on January 9th, 2021 from
https://w w w.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/january-blood-donor-
month#:~:tex t=January%20is%20National%20Bl ood%20Donor%20Month.
2 IT Sy nergetics. (2021). Products. Retrieved on January 9th, 2021 from https://itsynergistics.com/products/.

2. to digital platforms where they can gain common access to essential information anywhere and
anytime.3
Even though these applications introduce sublime process automation, they should be
thoroughly tested in compliance with the FDA regulations. This includes documenting the entire
software architecture and conducting in-depth code inspections and testing. Such activities
unravel any existing risks, allowing developers to mitigate all identified hazards before they
release the software. In conclusion, issues specific to blood donation and transfusion events can
be resolved by employing cutting-edgetechnologieswith medicaldeviceswhich enablesadvanced
resource management, quick data retrieval, powerful digital platform, and uniform user access to
massive data systems. Indeed, these applications are required to be FDA compliant as well. Do
you have a blood donation app or an AI/ML medical device that needs FDA approval? Contact us
at 248-987-4497 or info@emmainternational.com for additional information.
3
FDA (December 2020). 510(k) Blood Establishment Computer Software – 2020. Retrieved on January 9th
, 2021 from https://w w w.fda.gov/vaccines-
bl ood-biologics/substantially-equivalent-510k-device-information/510k-blood-establishment-computer-software-2020.