Data collection and analysis of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Interlaboratory Comparison Program (Proficiency Testing) J-Survey results provide insights into North American pretransfusion compatibility testing practices and trends.
To assess current North American manual testing practices for ABO grouping, rhesus (Rh) typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching using CAP proficiency testing data.
Analysis of the CAP Interlaboratory Comparison Program J-Survey data (2005-2010) to identify laboratory methods used for ABO grouping, Rh typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching. Data were analyzed by test method using Microsoft (Redmond, Washington) Excel software.
The method used most often in ABO grouping and Rh typing was tube testing. Many laboratories also used tube testing for antibody detection and crossmatching, but during the study period, the proportion of laboratories using gel-based methodologies increased considerably.
Most North American CAP laboratories continue to use tube methods for ABO/Rh testing. Use of gel-based methodologies increased during the past 5 years for antibody screening and crossmatching.