Experience with the routine use of an abbreviated crossmatch.
Three years' experience with the routine use of an abbreviated crossmatch procedure is reported. If a patient had no known history of and/or no currently demonstrable unexpected antibodies, ABO and Rh type specific blood was crossmatched at the time of need by using an immediate spin saline abbreviated crossmatch. Once blood was issued, both a 37 degrees C incubation and an antiglobulin crossmatch were done using the same tube employed for the abbreviated crossmatch. This served as a check that clinically significant antibodies were not overlooked. None of the 19,818 patients transfused following an abbreviated crossmatch suffered an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction as a result of this strategy; however, two patients may have manifested asymptomatic hemolysis. This approach to compatibility testing might be appealing to hospitals faced with fiscal limitations and new regulations affecting hospital reimbursement.
D000328:Adult; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods*; D003298:Coombs Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies