Performing a direct antiglobulin test as part of every transfusion reaction work up

A colleague comments that her institution's blood bank is in the process of revising their transfusion reaction policy and procedures. She acknowledges that the 26th Edition of the AABB Standards, 7.4.2.1, requires that a direct antiglobulin test (DAT) be performed for suspected hemolytic transfusion reactions, and that there should be a process for evaluation for suspected non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. However, the inquiring colleague emphasizes that the AABB Standards do not state that a DAT is required for every transfusion reaction workup. Because it is not explicated stated that a DAT be done for every transfusion reaction work up, it was suggested that her laboratory stop performing a DAT with every post transfusion reaction work up, such as allergic reactions to FFP. She has been told that some institutions do perform a DAT on with every transfusion reaction work up, and wants to know if any of those institutions would share the criteria that they use to decide when to perform a DAT and when not to perform one?

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