Procedure number: 213
(Blood Bank Name and address)
Page 1 of 4
Subject: Crossmatch Test
CROSSMATCH TEST
PURPOSE
To test the serum or plasma of a blood recipient for antibody directed against donor RBCs, including most
instances of donor and recipient ABO incompatibility (exception: rare weak A and B subgroups).
PRINCIPLE
"Compatibility testing" encompasses all of the steps in pretransfusion testing including recipient and donor ABO
and Rh typing, the antibody (screening) test, the crossmatch, and the search of blood bank records for previous
patient history. This procedure concerns only the technical details of performing a crossmatch. Policies and
procedures for compatibility testing are outlined in procedure #116.
The major crossmatch and the antibody screen both are intended to detect recipient antibody directed against
donor RBCs, and are redundant, at least for detection of antibodies directed against the common antigens present
on the screening cells. With appropriate validation of the antibody detection test the AHG phase of the
crossmatch may be eliminated if it is negative, with the immediate spin phase being retained in order to detect
ABO typing errors that might lead to immediate hemolytic transfusion reactions.
The major crossmatch is carried through the AHG phase when the patient has a positive antibody screen, even
when the antibody has been identified and the donor's RBCs are shown to lack the corresponding antigen, because
such individuals are regarded as being "responders" and to have an increased risk of immunization against low
frequency antigens. Similarly, an AHG crossmatch is performed on all individuals with a history of a clinically
significant blood group antibody, even when the patient's antibody is no longer detectable. (See procedure #116
for specific policies on performing a crossmatch).
This sensitivity of the procedure depends in part on the serum/cell ratio and incubation time employed. The
procedure below calls for 4 drops of serum or plasma and a 30’ incubation period at 30 oC, but many laboratories
would use only 2 drops of serum.
MATERIALS AND SPECIMENS
See General Guidelines for serologic testing, procedure # 201
Donor blood "segment" or washed RBC suspension from a donor unit of type specific or compatible RBCs
Patient Blood Bank Record, appendix 210.1 or other patient worksheet
PROCEDURE
Determine the Type of Crossmatch
If the patient has, or is expected to have, a positive antibody screen or a history of clinically significant
blood group antibodies (see procedure #116 for exact requirements) perform a crossmatch using a saline indirect
antiglobulin test.
If the patient has a negative antibody screen and there is no ABO typing discrepancy, perform a crossmatch
looking at the immediate spin phase of testing only.
Note: It is often convenient to start crossmatches at the same time as the antibody screen. In this case the tubes
can be incubated while the antibody screen is completed as outlined in step #6 below.
Procedure number: 213
(Blood Bank Name and address)
Page 2 of 4
Subject: Crossmatch Test
Perform the Crossmatch(s)
1.
Properly label two 10x75 or 12x75 mm test tubes for each unit crossmatched, one with the patient identifier
and unit # (for crossmatch) and the other with the unit # only (for preparation of a cell suspension).
2.
Cut off one tubing segment from a type specific or compatible donor unit. Cut open the segment and add
one drop of red cells into the tube labeled only with the donor number. Inspection the donor unit at this
time. Any unit which appears contaminated (i.e., cloudy or discolored) is not to be used. The unit and any
available components must be quarantined and the supervisor notified. After separation of the segment(s),
archive them according to procedure #203.
3.
Prepare a washed 3-5% red cell suspension of each unit of donor RBCs (see procedure #202).
4.
If only an "immediate spin crossmatch" is to be done, add 2 drops of patient serum and 1 drop of the donor
cell suspension to the tube marked with the patient identifier and unit #. If crossmatches are to be carried
through to the AHG phase, start with 4 drops of patient serum.
5.
Centrifuge the test tube at the appropriate speed and time for the serofuge in use.
6.
After centrifugation, examine the tube(s) for agglutination or hemolysis. Grade and record the reaction(s)
on the patient worksheet in the “IS” column.
If only an immediate spin crossmatch was to be performed and there is no evidence of agglutination,
interpret the crossmatch as "Comp" for compatible, in the “Interp[retation]” column. If the antibody screen
is not complete, place the tubes in the 37o incubator. They can be discarded if the screen is negative or
completed if it is positive.
If agglutination is identified, proceed with the IAT crossmatch as follows, and investigate the cause of the
unexpected positive test as listed below.
7.
Mix tubes and incubate at 37oC for 30 minutes.
8.
Centrifuge at the appropriate speed and time for the serofuge in use.
9.
After centrifugation, examine each tube for agglutination or hemolysis. Grade and record the reaction(s)
the "37o" column.
10.
Wash the tube with normal saline 4 times. This may be done manually or with the automatic cell washer.
11.
Add 1 or 2 drops of anti-human globulin (typically 1 drop for monoclonal anti-IgG and 1-2 drops for rabbit
anti-IgG) to the tube and mix.
12.
Centrifuge at the appropriate speed and time.
13.
After centrifugation, examine each tube for agglutination or hemolysis. If the result is negative or
equivocal, examine it microscopically. Grade and record the reactions in the "AHG" column.
14.
To any tube showing a negative AHG result, add one drop of Coombs' control cells.
15.
Centrifuge, read, and record the result in the "CC" column.
16.
Record the interpretation, "Comp" for compatible or "Inc" for incompatible, in the “Interp” column.
Procedure number: 213
(Blood Bank Name and address)
Page 3 of 4
Subject: Crossmatch Test
INTERPRETATION
Negative reactions at all test phases indicate that the unit is serologically compatible with the patient and may be
reserved for the patient if other criteria are met.
A positive reaction at any test phase indicates an incompatibility between donor red cells and patient's serum.
Further investigation is necessary and, except in emergencies, units may not be released until the problem is
resolved (see procedure # 116 for compatibility requirements). It may be acceptable to transfuse a unit with a
positive in vitro crossmatch if the responsible antibody has been identified and is known to be clinically
insignificant as defined in procedure #116.
Causes of an incompatible crossmatch in the presence of a negative antibody screen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Error in ABO grouping of either donor or patient.
Presence of an antibody in the patient's serum directed against a low incidence antigen or another antigen
not present on the screening cells (e.g. anti-Kpa or anti-A1 respectively).
Donor has a positive DAT.
An antigen present in double dose (homozygous donor) on the donor cells but single dose on the antibody
detection (screening) cells. In this case the patient's antibody may not be strong enough to react with the
single dose screening cells ("dosage effect").
Rouleaux
A cold allo- or autoantibody.
Resolution of Incompatibility
The most likely cause of a positive IS crossmatch after a negative antibody screen is a cold allo- or autoantibody.
However, an ABO incompatibility due to a patient typing or unit labeling error must be immediately ruled out. If
the IS crossmatch is positive in a patient with a negative antibody screen proceed as follows:
1.
Perform a clerical check of the unit and patient specimen, and then confirm the unit typing and repeat the
patient ABO typing, both forward and reverse (consider incubating the reverse type if anti-A1 is a
possibility).
2.
Examine the tube for rouleaux and, if negative, complete the crossmatch through to the AHG phase.
Initiate a second pre-warmed AHG crossmatch(s) (see procedure # 263).
3.
Perform a DAT (procedure #215) on the donor RBCs. If the donor’s DAT is positive, repeat the
crossmatch with a new unit.
If there is no discrepancy in the ABO, the DAT on the donor cells is negative, there is no rouleaux (see procedure
#269 for resolution), proceed with investigation as for a positive antibody screen (procedure #221) including tests to
identify cold antibodies (see procedure #221).
NOTE: If an ABO incompatibility is ruled out and both the antibody detection test and an IS crossmatch with prewarmed elements is negative, units may be issued prior to completion of the workup without requiring an
Emergency blood Request to be signed.
If the antibody screen is positive after an immediate spin crossmatch (started concurrently) was performed,
resolve the antibody problem (see procedure #221) and complete all crossmatch(s) on the patient through the
antiglobulin phase (see step #6 above).
Procedure number: 213
(Blood Bank Name and address)
Page 4 of 4
Subject: Crossmatch Test
If an IAT crossmatch(s) is positive in a patient with a blood group antibody using donor RBCs lacking the
corresponding antigen:
1.
Review the antibody identification procedure for errors.
2.
Initiate an investigation for an additional antibody directed against a low incidence antigen.
After the above investigations are complete, select antigen negative units and/or an appropriate crossmatch
technique (e.g. use of autoadsorbed specimen, or pre-warmed technique), and repeat the crossmatch(s) as required
in procedure #116.
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