title: Pretransfusion testing practices in North America, 2005-2010: an analysis of the College Of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program J-survey data, 2005-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data collection and analysis of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Interlaboratory Comparison Program (Proficiency Testing) J-Survey results provide insights into North American pretransfusion compatibility testing practices and trends.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess current North American manual testing practices for ABO grouping, rhesus (Rh) typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching using CAP proficiency testing data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the CAP Interlaboratory Comparison Program J-Survey data (2005-2010) to identify laboratory methods used for ABO grouping, Rh typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching. Data were analyzed by test method using Microsoft (Redmond, Washington) Excel software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The method used most often in ABO grouping and Rh typing was tube testing. Many laboratories also used tube testing for antibody detection and crossmatching, but during the study period, the proportion of laboratories using gel-based methodologies increased considerably.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most North American CAP laboratories continue to use tube methods for ABO/Rh testing. Use of gel-based methodologies increased during the past 5 years for antibody screening and crossmatching.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Katharine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: Ira A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Shulman
mesh_terms: D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003625:Data Collection; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D009656:North America; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards