Evaluation of a new automated instrument for pretransfusion testing.
BACKGROUND
A number of automated devices for pretransfusion testing have recently become available. This study evaluated a fully automated device based on column agglutination technology (AutoVue System, Ortho, Raritan, NJ).


METHODS
Some 6747 tests including forward and reverse ABO group, Rh type and phenotype, antibody screen, autocontrol, and crossmatch were performed on random samples from 1069 blood donors, 2063 patients, and 98 newborns and cord blood. Also tested were samples from 168 immunized patients and 53 donors expressing weak or variant A and D antigens. Test results and technician times required for their performance were compared with those obtained by standard methods (manual column agglutination technology, slide, semiautomatic handler).


RESULTS
No erroneous conclusions were found in regard to the 5028 ABO group and Rh type or phenotype determinations carried out with the device. The device rejected 1.53 percent of tests for sample inadequacy. Of the remaining 18 tests with discrepant results found with the device and not confirmed with the standard methods, 6 gave such results because of mixed-field reactions, 10 gave negative results with A2 RBCs in reverse ABO grouping, and 2 gave very weak positive reactions in antibody screening and crossmatching. In the samples from immunized patients, the device missed one weak anti-K, whereas standard methods missed five weak antibodies. In addition, 48, 34, and 31 of the 53 weak or variant antigens were detected by the device, the slide method, and the semiautomated handler, respectively. Technician time with the standard methods was 1.6 to 7 times higher than that with the device.


CONCLUSIONS
The technical performance of the device compared favorably with that of standard methods, with a number of advantages, including in particular the saving of technician time. Sample inadequacy was the most common cause of discrepancy, which suggests that standardization of sample collection can further improve the performance of the device.
Centro Trasfusionale e di Immunologia dei Trapianti, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.
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Sirchia
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D006405:Hematology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D011897:Random Allocation; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics; D012984:Software
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System