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Hi everyone, I would really encourage you to take a moment to read a blog article I wrote regarding a lab scientist's connection to their patients from "behind the scenes". This subject is very near and dear to my heart and I hope others find that it resonates with them as well. Please feel free to share any thoughts below the article in the comments section. Thank you for taking the time to click! And as always, thank you for being an integral part of our healthcare system. https://www.staffready.com/patient-behind-scenes/

I used to see hemolysis all the time when using clotted specimens (10 years) but I have never seen it when using EDTA (10 years).

We didn't. We now have 2 Erytras. Had the first for about 1 1/2 years, the second we just got.

I will have to go back to my validation binder to get the specifics for you.....plus am a little hesitant in that I do not want to make a definitive negative statement concerning Grifols testing (as I myself have not come to a negative conclusion). For the most part, it is working as expected. But I can answer some of the other issues you raised. So when the Erytra is questioning whether or not a Screen is Positive (calls it an NRD), then you have to make a decision. You can look at the card (or picture....but as stated previously, I tend to shy away from those giant pictures); and perhaps you decide to change the NRD to Negative....or you can do further work. At least at this moment, we choose to do further work based on both our validation results and on our admitted need to become more used to how we interpret the Grifols Cards , but also just the fact that it is new and I want to kind of continue correlation studies a little longer. So we would not interpret that questionable reaction just based on looking at the card. We would perform a panel (Grifols; or Immucor) and/or PeG testing. As far as other screens we have pursued further....if we run a patient on the Erytra who has known antibodies (and was reactive when last tested) and it is Negative, we will either perform a PeG Screen, or run some Immucor cells in Ortho IgG (which is better as far as comparison studies than using PeG). So I guess we are still just "learning" about the Erytra (and I am feeling better about it the more we use it...AND, the more I do these comparison studies). Another thing to keep in mind is that when we did our initial comparison studies, a lot of those were frozen known antibody specimens, so perhaps those just didn't run as well on the Erytra as other techniques....because as I stated, it is getting better. Hope that helps a little....sorry for not being more specific on antibodies but don't know how much could be due to being new users and/or using older, frozen specimens....so would not want to make too many associations with the Erytra at this point in time. But will keep you guys posted should I become more concerned....just wanted to throw it out initially so you would all also do due diligence when doing your comparison studies. Thanks Brenda

Great answer @AMcCord! I would just add - if you are just getting used to the echo or NEO - everyone has forgotten once and then they are really careful not to do it again; so don't beat yourselves up! I know I still check by ringing the vial like a bell at the beginning of my shift just to make sure! - Because - if the vial doesn't have the stirball and the person before you loaded it; it is stills works for the first couple hours or so until the red cells start to settle to the bottom of the vial!

Found early mornings and evenings are best. A martini in hand doesn't hurt either.