The Role of Mobile-base Applications in Blood Banking

Background: Blood proves to be a lifesaving component in case of emergency requirement and blood bank is a center where blood gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion. The growth in numbers and capacity of mobile devices presents an unprecedented opportunity for mobile health care applications. Blood banking applications is one of the important smart phone applications in health care. Objectives: The aims of this study were describe the characteristics of the most common mobile applications in blood banking that available today, discussing theirs various potential functions and determine the role of these apps in blood banking. Methods: This study is done with the over view form by the use of library style and the advance internet search of the scientific article in data base like PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT, GOOGLE SCHOLAR that Their full text is accessible. Results: Characteristics of the blood banking apps were extracted such as: authentication methods, languages in which the apps are provided, geographical limitations, notifications, geo-location, Connection with laboratories, hospitals or third parties, connection to social networks, blood banking recommendations, friendly interface and timely update the information. These apps can: determine the list of nearby blood bank and donors by enabling GPS; calculating the distance from your location and suggest various routes on map and facilitate communication between them. Conclusion: The role of these applications is to reduce the time to a greater extent that is searching for the required blood through blood banks and hospitals, also provide the required information and help in quicker decision making. Therefore time, cost, man power and efforts that required for blood donation and reception process can be saved.