New for 2016 CAP is offering ABO Subgroup Typing proficiency test.  I am considering suggesting that we do not order this because:

• CAP has historically not provided high quality new surveys for the first year or 2.
• It's not a regulated analyte, therefore not required by CMS as a proficiency test.
• We are a large transfusion service and we rarely report out subgroups, I suspect there isn't a lot of clinical significance.
• Last, but not least, I fear making mistakes on the survey.

 

Your thoughts?

 

Will you be ordering it?

since the inception of monoclonal typing reagents finding a weak subgroup is very rare (unless it is very weak).  You know you have a weak subgroup when the A/B type is 2-3+ or weaker.

Seems like a waste of resources to get this one (maybe a reference lab).

 

I will not be ordering this.

Edited October 5, 20159 yr by David Saikin

In my opinion David, it would also be a waste of time and money for Reference Laboratories.

I do agree with you Malcolm!

In my opinion David, it would also be a waste of time and money for Reference Laboratories.

 

 

I do agree with you Malcolm!

 

I tend to agree with folks smarter than me (most of the time).

Thanks, I will recommend we do not order.

I have no intention of ordering it. 

I agree with all of you.

I am not going to order as we do not have enough resources to identify sub group and also afraid of making mistake.

 

we are not reference lab and we hardly encounter sub group, only some time A subgroup mainly A2...

Some of these surveys are graded but not like the J series in Transfusion Medicine, eluate, or titer.  I get the advanced ETME surveys and am not concerned with right or wrong.  Myself and selected staff perform this survey - it is a good educational tool, the testing is not onerous and it makes the staff think (plus be a little nervous 'cuz it is a survey).  Makes me think too.  To not take a survey because you are concerned about grading is understandable - but this subgroup one seems like a waste all around. 

I agree with everything that i have read. We have very little call for subgroups, so that being said I will not be ordering this survey. Plus, I have a reference lab for subgroups.