SBBSue

Good tip! We use temp indicators on the units, so that when they are returned, we can see if the unit was out of temp at any point. We also asked them to provide a packing slip attesting to the proper storage of the units, similar to a transfer form used by our blood suppliers.

Agreed, we also supply blood to a facility outside our system, and the FDA inspector did not visit their facility.

How do you titer if the mom has more than one antibody? Our policy is to titer each individually if possible. However, I know other facilities find a cell that is positive for all of the antibodies so as to give the "overall" titer if you will.

Not all of our moms get a type and screen when admitted. I agree that the screen is redundant, but I am wondering if we did it for the sake of consistency, when a large portion of our staff was generalists. At least we no longer repeat the antibody ID when they have D from RhIg.

I saw an article but don't remember the source. The theory was that it bound to the heme molecule and prevented oxygen from binding, similar to how CO poisoning occurs.

I've been told that the concentration of DTT in RESt is different that what is used for treatment of reagent cells. But that sure would have been convenient.

Where are you located? Our Immucor rep supplied us with a coding guide for reimbursement, and you can also send specimens directly to Immucor for testing. We send ours through our Red Cross IRL. At this time, the last information I received is that reimbursement is for a complete HEA Genotype only, Rh genotype for weak/ partial D is NOT reimbursed because only the complete genotype is FDA approved. I reached out to our Immucor rep for more information if you are interested.

We had discrepant results recently when Echo results were compared to Ortho gel results when a sister hospital was in the process of switching from the Echo to the Vision. This doesn't answer why you got different results on the same specimen, but may explain why the patient was positive on a previous specimen. We have seen a number of weak or partial D patients test differently on the Echo vs. gel.