Computerized delivery control--a useful and safe complement to the type and screen compatibility testing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.