ADHERENCE TO A STRICT SPECIMEN-LABELING POLICY DECREASES THE INCIDENCE OF ERRONEOUS BLOOD GROUPING OF BLOOD-BANK SPECIMENS

BACKGROUND: To assess the effectiveness of a system of preventing inco mpatible blood transfusions resulting from the misidentification of pa tient specimens, a prospective analysis of all blood samples submitted to a laboratory was performed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Incorrectly labeled specimens (rejected samples) were tested for ABO and Rh type, and routine antibody screens were performed. Test results were compare d to historic patient data or patient data obtained from subsequently submitted (correctly) labeled specimens. For comparison, all discrepan t serologic results from appropriately labeled samples were also recor ded. RESULTS: Specimens that failed to meet the criteria for specimen acceptance were 40 times more likely to have a blood grouping discrepa ncy. CONCLUSION: Strict adherence to the labeling requirements results in a significant decrease in erroneous blood grouping. This would acc ordingly diminish the likelihood of transfusing out-of-group blood com ponents.