Noooooodles

My bad, I should've specified this was in the case of resolving extra reactions in the back type and not for IAT purposes. As in should I disregard small clumps (that can be shaken out) in my back type if I don't see chains and clumps immediately under the microscope?

This was just speaking in the situation of resolving extra reactions in the back type.

Our SOP still includes looking under the microscope to confirm rouleaux

Hi all, just wanted to get some advice from more seasoned techs. Is it wrong to let tubes sit before looking at them under the microscope to catch rouleaux and cold? I feel like they don't always clump up immediately. And regarding tech to tech variation, do you just ignore it if you are able to shake out small clumps in the back type? I usually work it up and make sure there isn't rouleaux or cold but some techs think that's too much work. Thanks.

Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it

It's cause our contract is coming up and we can't find another solid phase instrument for our sample volume. Much more choices with gel instruments.

Hi all, I'm still a relatively new blood banker and was wondering if you all would be willing to shed some light on the different methods of blood banking? We currently use solid phase but will be switching to gel next year. I have some questions regarding each method but also wanted to see what seasoned techs have experienced with them. Solid-phase: Incubation @ 37 with potentiator Wash AHG Read Pros: Sensitive Cons: Question: Won't pick up on clinically insignificant cold autos because of less exposure to cold temperature during the process? Or is it due to something else? Good to use with insignificant cold auto if you don't want to pick them up on screen? ______ Gel: Incubation @ 37 on top chamber, with potentiator? No washing Spinning down through the matrix containing AHG Pros: Very sensitive Cons: Will pick up insignificant colds due to the chamber temperature and matrix can catch IgM? Rouleaux Notes: IgM remains as there's no washing _______ LISS Tube (skipping IS phase): Incubation at 37 with LISS Reading (for strong IgM or IgG) Wash (removing unbound Abs) Add AHG Read (for IgG) Pros: Not too sensitive, not too weak Cons: Won't pick up weak antibodies Question: Won't pick up insignificant warm because LISS isn't strong enough? (Such as weak warm auto) Good to use when not wanting to pick up warm auto on screen? ________ PEG Tube: Read at IS (for IgM) Add PEG, incubate at 37 (30min inc. might pick up insignificant Abs?) Wash Add AHG Read (for IgG) Pros: Strong than LISS Cons: Please feel free to share any thoughts or experience.