The College of American Pathologists comprehensive blood bank survey program, 1973

The 1973 Comprehensive Blood Bank Survey Program of the College of American Pathologists was administered to 2,200 laboratories and blood banks throughout the United States. The results showed a considerable increase in the accuracy of the testing and in the performance of reagents. Accuracy of ABO testing was 99.3%; Rh testing, 99%; crossmatching was 98.9% correct. Antibody detection was correct 96.3% of the time, with the exception of a cold-reacting anti-P1 which was found by only 62% of the participants. About the same number of laboratories also did not find the antibody during the crossmatch procedure. A sample from a donor with a positive antiglobulin test created much confusion and was misinterpreted in a number of ways. Reagents were found to be performing well with the exception of two, one [anti-hr'(C)] which produced a significant number of false positives, and another (anti-Kell) which produced numerous false negatives. The results seem to indicate that the anti-hr'(C) from several manufacturers is at fault for this error, while the anti-Kell errors showed no predilection for manufacturers and may represent erroneous testing by the laboratories or a failure to employ adequate quality control.