title: Automated point-of-care testing for ABO agglutination test: proof of concept and validation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  ABO-incompatible red blood cell transfusions still represent an important hazard in transfusion medicine. Therefore, some countries have introduced a systematic bedside ABO agglutination test checking that the right blood is given to the right patient. However, this strategy requires an extremely time-consuming learning programme and relies on a subjective interpretation of ABO test cards agglutination. We developed a prototype of a fully automated device performing the bedside agglutination test that could be completed by reading of a barcoded wristband. This POCT checks the ABO compatibility between the patient and the blood bag.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proof of concept and analytical validation of the prototype has been completed on 451 blood samples: 238 donor packed red blood cells, 137 consecutive unselected patients for whom a blood group determination had been ordered and on 76 patient samples selected with pathology that could possibly interfere with or impair performances of the assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed 100% concordance for ABO blood groups between the POCT and the laboratory instrument.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of ABO determination with a simple POCT device eliminating manipulation and subjective interpretation responsible for transfusion errors. This device should be linked to the blood bank system allowing all cross-check of the results.
authors.affiliation: Brugmann University Hospital Center and Queen Fabiola University Children Hospital blood bank, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Kenz
authors.affiliation: Brugmann University Hospital Center immunology laboratory, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corazza
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis*; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001331:Automation; D001771:Blood Banks; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067716:Point-of-Care Testing; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: ABO incompatible; agglutination test; blood transfusion; haemovigilance; transfusion safety