Dansket

I would term this "institutional inertia".
Is this practice documented in a procedure manual? If so, what was the date of implementation?
Are you in a position to compile some data comparing immediate-spin tube test results with un-centrifuged tube test results?

Malcolm,
If I'm incubating patient serum/plasma with test cells at 4C, I would also include an O cord cell (we have these in a hospital setting) as well as an auto-control.
Dan

I would term this "institutional inertia".
Is this practice documented in a procedure manual? If so, what was the date of implementation?
Are you in a position to compile some data comparing immediate-spin tube test results with un-centrifuged tube test results?

John...I hate tube testing. Have not done tube testing since the last century and could never go back!!

Yes, always the more stringent requirement as AMcCord says above.  The 30 minute "rule" never was a rule at all and is obsolete.

The "30 minute" rule used to be included in the Technical manual years ago but then was taken out.  If you have CAP accreditation, there is a standard that asks about your return policy.  it must be validated.  So we took several units of red cells over the course of a week and left them on the counter at RT taking the inital temperature and temp every 5 minutes with a calibrated thermometer and discovered the units warm up to over 6 C after 15 min so we updated our policy and sent memos to Nursing and OR about the new rule change.  10 C is too high, that is transport temperature and taking a unit to the floor does not fall under that category.  The unit should not go above your storage temp of 6 C.

John...I hate tube testing. Have not done tube testing since the last century and could never go back!!

This is what we use, but does not include testing results with anti-complement:
 
 
; This DAT Calculation is for adults and newborns. It utilizes
; Profile Test: DAT NB  Print# 120.1810 and DAT Print# 120.1800
;                       T Test:  IGG    Print# 120.2000    Anti-IgG
;                       T Test:  DATR   Print# 120.2200    DAT Interpretation
;  Note: To invoke calc fields, press the Get key [F5], then "f b", then [F9]
IF{IGG#0="1" "Positive";
   IGG#0="2" "Positive";
   IGG#0="3" "Positive";
   IGG#0="4" "Positive";
"Negative"}^X,
;IF{X [f bbk msg]("Value of X is "_X)},
IF{'X [f bbk err msg]("Invalid calculation.")},
X;

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

The time it takes to feel comfortable... I think it is based on two issues, 1)how disciplined (consistent) you are and 2)the scope of your aggregate experience. It has been said, that an individual may have 5 years of experience of knowledge building or 1 year of experience multiplied 5 times which is, in essence, only 1 year. I agree with Malcolm, 12-18 months.

We have a charge test built as part of our XM that calculates the charges.  The default answer to this test is NO, but if the AHG has a result other than TNP or NP, then it changes the result to YES and the AHG crossmatch is charged.

Supervising in a large facility (525 bed), I decided to routinely sent WAA to reference lab. Didn't have staffing to deal with complex time-consuming antibody identification workups!

The smaller hospitals may be able to utilize these reagents BUT how many have the expertise to do so and evaluate the results especially when these pts are few and far between?  Also, many of the Medical Directors in these smaller institutions are not real strong in advanced BB evaluations . . .
 
My $0.02

See the "ANTI M" topic posted on the second page of the "Transfusion Services" Forum.

I sent some examples. I used Microsoft Visio to create them.