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Maintaining 'warm temperature' for specimens collected for cold agglutinin testing

A Transfusion Medicine Technical Specialist in in Canada wonders how others collect specimens that need to be 'kept warm' in order to perform cold agglutinin screens or titrations. She laments that (in her opinion) the methods that she and her staff have researched (AABB; BC Technical Resource manual; ARC) simply state 'keep at 37C'; 'allow to clot at 37C'. They have been asked by phlebotomy staff in their Core Lab to suggest a range of acceptable temperature since it is difficult to keep the water at 37C, take samples, and deliver samples. She wonders if there are methods other than using warm water that people use to keep samples warm? Warming blocks? Remember the 'armpit method'? She asks "Does anyone have experience and comments, or references we have missed?"

The following comments have been received

ADDENDA Dec. 7, 2004

1. At the Editor's institution, a protocol is in effect that can be used for patient specimens that are submitted for cryoglobulin testing and/or for quantification of cold agglutinins. See attached PDF file.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
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Posted: December 7, 2004

Addenda: Dec. 7, 2004

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