Multi-centre evaluation of pre-transfusional routine tests using 8-column format gel cards (DG Gel®).

BACKGROUND Advances in immunohaematology laboratory practice to improve performance, cost-effectiveness and patient safety are desirable. OBJECTIVES To perform a multi-centre evaluation of the 8-column Grifols DG Gel(®) cards and reagent system to assess its performance, suitability and adaptability to the daily blood transfusion laboratory routine in the United Kingdom. METHODS/MATERIALS A total of 4281 immunohematological analyses {1825 ABO/D grouping, 1921 antibody screening, 75 Rh phenotyping and K antigen determination, 361 antibody identification and 99 neonates [ABO/D and DAT (direct anti-globulin test)]} were performed on 2255 specimens. All cases were run in parallel with the reference method of each laboratory (DiaMed-ID(®) cards or conventional tube technique in some cases). RESULTS Concordant results between Grifols DG Gel(®) system and the reference method were obtained in 97·7% of tests. For ABO grouping by the Grifols DG Gel(®) system, sensitivity was 99·95%, specificity was 99·96%, predictive positive value (PPV) was 99·89% and predictive negative value (PNV) was 99·98%. For D grouping, sensitivity was 99·78%, specificity was 100%, PPV was 100% and PNV was 99·78%. For antibody screening, sensitivity was 90·63%, specificity was 99·94%, PPV was 99·32% and PNV was 99·15%. Of the Rh subgroups and K types, results were 100% concordant. For antibody specificity detection, accuracy was 96·95% for Grifols DG Gel(®) system and 95·29% for DiaMed-ID(®) system. For the newborn tests, concordant results were obtained in 100% of ABO/D grouping and in 89·9% of DAT. CONCLUSION The Grifols DG Gel(®) 8-column system is reliable and safe for routine tests performed in the immunohaematology laboratory.