We use the 20 cell "Panocell" by Immucor for AB identification. Recently, some of my techs have been abbreviating the panel by only using cells 1-10. From what I can find, the package insert, nor the AABB Standards, does not address this practice. Would anyone be willing to share your opinion on this practice? I'd appreciate any input or any reference to standards regarding this practice. Thanks.

Rachel

We used to use the immucor twenty panel as well. We only used the top 10 cells on our initial panel with every sample. The only time we ever used the bottom half was to rule out and then we only used select cells, not the entire bottom half. As long as there are enough cells on the 10 they are using to rule out clinically signigficant antibodies, I don't see a real problem only using 10 cells.

I think abbreviated panels are a good idea, as long as you have enough cells to "rule-out" or "rule-in". It saves time and specimen. We routinely only use a 11 cell panel, so if done completely, ours is already 'abbreviated' compared to your 20 cell panel.

Our techs will abbreviate the 11 cell panel. For example, if you have a patiet with a history of anti-D or anti-K, why would you test D or K positive cells? You only need to confirm they haven't made any new antibodies.

Or, if you do a 3-cell screen and it leads you to suspect a anti-E, why not do enough to confirm that (and rule out others)?

Linda Frederick

I have to ask the question -- what does your SOP say ???

We often times do selected cell panels when we know what the patient has or can rule out a bunch from the antibody screen so I don't think that would be any different. As long as they are following the 10 cell panel with the appropriate rule-outs if needed there shouldn't be a problem.