Analysis of Recent Four Years' Cross-Matching Tests of One Commercial Laboratory

ABSTRACT

The cross-matching test, an essential pre-transfusion test, is usually performed using only a segment of a blood bag and a recipient's blood sample at a commercial laboratory. We analyzed cross-matching test results obtained at LabGenomics laboratory, client of which were mainly small- and medium-sized medical clinics. Data for a total of 12,902 cross-matching tests referred from January 2012 to December 2015 were analyzed for incompatibility in the results and trends based on the distribution of medical clinics. Medical clinics were categorized as nursing home, obstetrics and gynecology, plastic surgery, dental clinic, orthopedic surgery, and others. Incompatible results were observed for 35 cases (1.09%) in 2012, 22 cases (0.68%) in 2013, 31 cases (1.02%) in 2014, and 41 cases (1.20%) in 2015. Overall, 55.4% of referrals came from a nursing home, 6.4% from obstetrics and gynecology, 4.4% from plastic surgery, 20.0% from dental clinic, 5.9 % from orthopedic surgery, and 7.9% from others. Further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of cross-matching test results and its relationship with transfusion requirements.