Albumin Alternative in Serofuge Caibration?

[butlermom]

We have always used 6% albumin to perform annual serofuge calibrations.  This reagent is no longer used in our blood bank and is only supplied as 10 vials per package (They would expire before I could use them all.)  What other reagent(s) do others use for serofuge calibration?

[David Saikin]

Why not just use the actual reagents (that the 6% albumin is meant to imitate).  Cheaper than buying the 10 btls.  Some vendors will sell you lots of 3 btls (Quotient and Immucor I think). 

[L106]

I have two suggestions:

1. For saline-active antibodies: Find a patient whose plasma gives a 1+ reaction with the B Reverse Cells (so you won't have to dilute the patient's plasma with anything.) For high-protien antibodies: Would it work if you used "Rh Control Reagent" to dilute the Anti-D?

2. Beg or borrow a vial of Albumin from a fellow-hospital or your blood supplier?

Donna

[galvania]

What were you doing exactly with the 6% albumin?

[David Saikin]

Why not just use the actual reagents (that the 6% albumin is meant to imitate).  Cheaper than buying the 10 btls.  Some vendors will sell you lots of 3 btls (Quotient and Immucor I think). 

Duh - I forgot about the 1+ reactivity.  I think using the Rh control is a great idea.  You'll still use a lot of it.  I purchase albumin because we use it sometimes and it also used in other areas of the lab.  It is not that expensive and the newer vendors are less expensive.

[DJN]

We have a new supervisor, who has advised us to add 6% albumin to the reagent anti B (for serofuge calibration). We previously added normal saline to dilute. Is there a difference?