We also use tube testing for Blood Grouping and MAnual gel for crossmatching. We do a lot of blood groups daily and all the groups are read by two techs independently who sign in the register. The same tubes are then reviewed by me or MO for the blood bank and we also sign in the register.To avoid mix-ups when dealing with multiple patients, we number each patient sample tube with the serial number it is entered in the register, and all the 8 small tubes are also marked with the same number. Tubes without number are not read. Numbering each tube is a lot of work, but it gives peace of mind. Also if there is shortage of techs in aparticular shift or on holidays the rack can be stored and read later. But as Dansket said earlier we are waitng for automation to take us to 21st century procedures....hope that day will dawn soon.