Background/Case Studies: The blood center (BC) receives orders to provide uncommon and rare red blood cells (RBC) antigen negative units, not only within its service area, but nationwide. The demands for these products are from simple antigen combinations to the most complex and uncommon ones, including units negative for high incidence antigens as defined as 1 in 1000 donors. To be able to meet the demand the BC has implemented an algorithm and technique program (AT), to identify these donors. This study evaluated the BC contributions to meet the national demand for rbc antigen negative units.
Study
Design/Methods: The AT was designed to select donors based on race, ABO/Rh (to exclude AB ABO Group), and the number of successful donations. Initial testing was performed to detect C, E, c, e, and K antigens. Donors with Rh phenotype as RO, R1, R2, and rr were subsequently tested for additional antigens in the major blood group systems, including high incidence antigens according to occurrence on each donor’s race. Test results were entered into the internal database system (IDS). Red blood cells antigen screening performed from 2018 thru 2022 to include the high-incidence antigens was evaluated and exported from the IDS. In addition, the data of contribution numbers from out-of-service-area orders were retrieved from the national office database system from the same period. Both lists were evaluated to determine the efficiency of the antigen screening testing program regarding order fulfillment.
Results/Findings: A total of 985,431 red blood cells antigens were screened for the following blood group systems, Rh, Kidd, Kell, MNS, Lutheran, Yt, Dombrock, Gerbich, and Diego using microplate technique. 866 red blood cells units were sent to various blood centers nationwide. 683 units sent were in liquid state and 183 were frozen. 262 units were negative for high incidence antigens as shown on the table below, and 604 units were negative for variety of antigen complex combinations. Conclusions: The AT program has proven to be a valuable tool for identifying rare donors. The AT allows the BC to contribute significantly to the national program by providing units negative for high-incidence antigens and complex red blood cell antigens combinations. The continuous screening testing enables the BC to make available liquid units preferable for out-of-area shipment. The BC has the capacity not only to fulfill the needs of the patients of its internal customers but also to support the national program.
Importance of research: This study will help the community to understand the importance of a process to screen donors to be able to meet the national demands for rare and uncommon units.
