Computerized delivery control--a useful and safe complement to the type and screen compatibility testing.
OBJECTIVE
Faster and less labor-intensive crossmatching procedures are needed, but they must be as safe as the traditional antiglobulin method. We present twelve years' experience with a procedure involving antibody screening, blood group checks, and computerized delivery control (ABCD test).


METHODS
We use a computer for validation and printing documents and declaring compatibility between patient and blood component, based on screening results and earlier-recorded data about the patient.


RESULTS
Of 257,400 units transfused during the period, 90% were declared compatible through the ABCD procedure, and 10% had to be crossmatched. We observed no hemolytic transfusion complications due to a failure of the procedure to detect red cell alloantibodies. Labor in the testing laboratory was reduced by 65% compared to a previous crossmatching period. Fewer blood units were returned unused.


CONCLUSIONS
The procedure using a computerized system as a guard against human mistakes has been found to be safe and reliable and is now widely used in Sweden.
Säfwenberg
J
J
Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Högman
C F
CF
Cassemar
B
B
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D012984:Software
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D007518:Isoantibodies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System