Resolution of ABO Discrepancies

It is crucial to correctly identify ABO discrepancies. All ABO discrepancies must be investigated and the underlying cause identified before a patient or donor’s correct blood type can be resulted.

Lecture Presenter
Justin R. Rhees, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, SBBCM, MLS(ASCP)CM SBBCM
Justin R. Rhees, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, SBBCM
Assistant Professor, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Weber State University

Justin received his M.S. Degree in Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Science at the University of Utah. He is a Specialist in Blood Bank Technology, board certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and is an active member of AABB, the South Central Association of Blood Banks (SCABB), and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

Given the results of ABO typing, correctly identify if a discrepancy exists and if the source is most likely in the forward or reverse type.
Describe in detail several causes of ABO discrepancies due to the following:
  • Weak or missing reactivity in the reverse typing
  • Unexpected reactivity in the reverse typing
  • Weak or missing reactivity in the forward typing
  • Unexpected reactivity in the forward typing
Describe appropriate follow-up testing that is necessary in the resolution of ABO discrepancies