Analysis of ABO discrepancies occurring at a university hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

To assess the incidence and causes of all ABO discrepancies. The King Fahd Hospital of the University [KFHU], Al-Khobar in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Retrospective study. The study was performed between January 1992 to December 2005. ABO discrepancies were detected during routine blood bank laboratory testing by comparing either two current blood specimens or a current and historical specimen. Two hundred and sixty-one discrepancies were discovered in a series of 549,229 blood group tests performed during the study period, a frequency of 0.05%. The most common cause involved ABO subgroups, then errors of blood collection during phlebotomy that is collecting from a wrong patient and finally clerical errors during patient registration or identification. ABO discrepancies can result from inaccuracy made by hospital staff during phlebotomy and collection of specimens, clerical errors and ABO subgroups. Technical errors are also a cause but none was found in this study. Careful techniques are needed to ensure proper collection and labeling of specimens during and after specimen collection to avoid any fatal complications. Repeat testing and investigation for ABO subgroups is very important

Indigenous development of antibody screening cell panels at armed forces institute of transfusion [AFIT]

To prepare good quality screening cells reagent according to the standards, at Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion [AFIT]. Random group O donors, seronegative for HBsAg, HCV and HIV were selected if they resided in Rawalpindi or Islamabad and could be contacted. Micro column Gel technique was used to find out R1R1, R1wr, R2R2 and rr phenotypes with or without K antigen. Repeat sample of these donors were phenotyped for minimum antigens required for reagent cells. Teams of three donors each were made on the basis of Rh, K antigens and homozygosity for E, Fya,Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S, and s antigens. The selected cells were added to preservative suspension containing neomycin and chloramphenicol and dispensed as 8% solution and labeled. Cells were submitted to quality control testing for 35 days shelf life and efficacy was compared with commercial cells. The cells of required phenotype were prepared according to UK guidelines and AABB standards with minor exceptions. Reagent cells had excellent quality confirmed by many quality control procedures and were comparable to commercial cells in efficacy. The cost saving was significant. AFIT can introduce type and screen policy and Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule using indigenously prepared cells, of good quality and at an affordable price. This will enhance serological safety of recipients and brings AFIT near to adopting standard practice of pretransfusion testing

Manual de procedimientos del banco de sangre / Guidliness procedure of blod bank

Lineamientos que determinan los procedimientos a realizar en el Banco de Sangre de las diversas etapas que comprenden: La selección del donador, obtención, fraccionamiento y almacenamiento de la sangre, procedimientos técnicos del laboratorio, pruebas cruzadas de compatibilidad y control de calidad que deben ser efectuados en cada caso