Development of a desktop application prototype for blood banks

Abstract

In this research, a prototype desktop application was developed to optimize the management of blood banks, with emphasis on inventory control and scheduling appointments for donations. The objective of the study was to develop an accessible software solution that automates administrative processes and contributes to a more efficient and secure management of blood resources. The methodology used was the agile Scrum framework, with the development organized in biweekly iterations. SQL Server was used as the database manager due to its robustness and security. Validation was carried out in a simulated environment representative of a blood bank, using scenarios designed to emulate real tasks in the management of donations. In addition, a usability evaluation was conducted with real users through structured interviews, who identified strengths and opportunities for improvement in the interface. The results showed a significant reduction in record-keeping errors, greater operational efficiency and improved interaction with donors. The usability evaluation revealed needs for refinements to the visual experience, proposals such as the incorporation of interactive tutorials and improvements to the data entry forms. It is concluded that the prototype satisfactorily fulfills the proposed objectives, representing an effective technological solution to strengthen transfusion safety and support clinical decision making in contexts of limited infrastructure.