Titer Products for SafetY: TIPSY

Minor incompatible platelet transfusions are common practice, yet plasma has historically been provided in a strictly ABO compatible manner. However, transfusions of group A plasma and group O whole blood to recipients of unknown blood group in emergencies are becoming common and are situations where minor incompatible plasma might be transfused. Blood products with high titer anti-A and/or anti-B have a greater risk of causing hemolysis in a recipient with the corresponding A and/or B antigen. Currently, there are no universally accepted standards for the method of performing the titer testing or for the definition of a “high” titer antibody. Between blood banks, various titer methods are used and different thresholds are used to designate “high” titer units. The goal of this study is to capture the titer testing methods for plasma, single donor platelet (SDP), and whole blood units and to elucidate the prevalence of “high” titer units using the local definitions. Research Questions 1. What are the various titer testing methods used for plasma, SDP and whole blood units? 2. What is the prevalence of high titer units by donor blood group (i.e. what is the high titer failure rate by donor blood group)? 3. Is there seasonal, or month to month variation in the frequency of detecting high titer units?

Completed

126

CTS

Dunbar, Harm, Yazer