Australian Red Cross Blood Service

We developed the National Inventory Template (NIT) as part of the Reengineering our Supply and Service (RoSS) program of work.

The NIT replaces previous systems used to collect and report internal (Blood Service) and external (transfusion laboratories) inventories and to communicate availability of blood components to transfusion laboratory customers. 

The NIT improves equity of access to blood components across the country by providing component projections and stock availability, improving transparency of inventory to customers and stakeholders and providing direction for the Blood Service component production. 

Transparency of the Blood Service and transfusion laboratory inventory levels are particularly important in times of supply shortage. 

The NIT is a nationally consistent system that:

• is linked nationally

• communicates component stockholding, availability and any specific component shortages

• reports stock levels by ABO and Rh(D)

• calculates the number of days stock cover for each component type and blood group

• predicts the inventory position of blood components 24 hours in advance that allows interstate movement of inventory if required

• monitors blood component supply to transfusion laboratories

• guides sufficient inventory holdings based on the proximity to a Blood Service depot and the activities undertaken by a hospital or laboratory

You can download our updated Quick Reference Guide (NIT – Briefing pack version 5.1), which addresses more than 90% of issues raised in our customer feedback since the NIT's implementation in July 2009. Read our FAQs about NIT for further information on the NIT.