Compatibility Testing

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Transfusion Services. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Transfusion Services (online CE course)
Compatibility Testing

Standard operating procedures for compatibility testing are listed in section 606.151 and must include the following:
  • A method of collecting and identifying the blood samples of recipients to ensure positive identification.
  • The use of fresh recipient serum or plasma samples less than 3 days old for all pretransfusion testing if the recipient has been pregnant or transfused within the previous 3 months.
  • Procedures to demonstrate incompatibility between the donor's cell type and the recipient's serum or plasma type.
  • A provision that, if the unit of donor's blood has not been screened by a method that will demonstrate agglutinating, coating, and hemolytic antibodies, the recipient's cells shall be tested with the donor's serum (minor crossmatch) by a method that will so demonstrate.*
  • Procedures to expedite transfusion in life-threatening emergencies. Records of all such incidents shall be maintained, including complete documentation justifying the emergency action, which shall be signed by a physician.
* Because most units are screened by the donor center and the majority of blood components are transfused as Red Blood Cells, the minor crosssmatch is rarely performed as a part of compatibiltiy testing for blood components.