The Comprehensive Blood Bank Survey of the College of American Pathologists--1978

Approximately 2,200 laboratories participated in the 1978 Comprehensive Blood Bank Survey of the College of American Pathologists. Correct responses of the test results on the blood specimens were determined by 13 Referee Laboratories. Participants' results were compared with Reference Laboratory results. Overall performance on ABO and Rh D typing revealed 98.3% concurrence. Errors in ABO grouping and Rh typing were most frequently found to be "clerical" rather than "technical." Antibody studies and crossmatching revealed variable results in the detection, identification, and evaluation of the clinical significance of a weak, naturally occurring antibody (anti-P1) and in the crossmatching of weak immune antibodies (anti-e and anti-D). Over 95% of participants correctly responded on antibody studies and crossmatching results with a serum containing a moderately strong anti-Fya. Ungraded specimens provided during the year yielded "state of the art" information on a variety of problems.