ISBT

ISBT stands for the International Society of Blood Transfusion, a global professional association for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners in transfusion medicine and related fields. The society aims to advance the safety, quality, and availability of blood and blood products through education, standards development, and scientific exchange.

ISBT was established in 1935 in London as a forum for international collaboration among physicians and scientists working in transfusion medicine. It organizes international congresses and regional meetings, publishes position documents and guidelines, and maintains centralized resources on terminology, coding, and labeling used in transfusion practice. A key achievement is ISBT 128, the global labeling standard for blood components and other human tissues, developed with international partners and widely adopted to improve traceability and patient safety.

In addition to labeling standards, ISBT maintains terminology for blood group antigens and transfusion medicine concepts, supporting the standardization of nomenclature and data communication across laboratories and blood services. The society also publishes scholarly materials, including the ISBT Science Series, and supports education through courses and online resources.

ISBT operates through a members’ network and a governance structure that includes councils and standing committees, with a secretariat supporting international activities. It collaborates with national societies, hospitals, and international organizations to promote best practices in transfusion medicine and to foster ongoing research and professional development in the field.