Ensuring uniform policies for recipient antigen typing when there is variation in the stocking practices of typing antisera within a multiple hospital system

A colleague from a multiple hospital system in Ohio states that a cost-cutting measure has been presented to their Transfusion Services Methods Committee, and she would like to know what policy is followed by others in regard to the issue below.

Part of their current policy for a complete antibody identification includes antigen typing the patient to make sure they are negative for the suspected antigen, if possible. This also provides an opportunity to check for the possibility of a delayed hemolytic reaction, from a transfusion that may have occurred outside of their hospital system. Since the typing antisera stocked by each hospital varies within their system, there is inconsistency about which antigens can be screened for - e.g. one site may be able to antigen type the patient for Jk(b), whereas one of their smaller sites without this antiserum cannot do this typing.

She would like to know if others in multiple hospital systems would share their policies on this issue.

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