Questions and Answers - Immunohaematology

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1. In the article, Henry (2009) states; “In the context of immunohaematology testing, quality control systems should also be able to detect instrument and human errors such as transcription, transposition and transmission”.

Discuss the meaning of this statement to demonstrate your understanding of types of error. 10 marks (Half a page)

Routine immunoheamatology tests may seem reliable and simple, however,reagent failure and technical errors can and do occur both in manual and automated systems. Very dangerous errors such as transposition and transcription can be made. Transposition errors are caused when staff or instruments pick up and use incorrect sample or reagent or dispense samples or reagents into an incorrect testing position. Mixing up of test materials such as tubes can also cause very serious transposition errors. Transcription errors occur when reaction scores or results interpretation are written or typed in an incorrect result position. Result interpretation can also occur where a test is performed and the reactions are correct but the staff member simply writes an incorrect result. These errors are highly dangerous as they may not be picked up by routine repeat test checking procedures and will not be detected by controls that only test reagent performance. Therefore from the statement above, quality systems should be of high quality to sufficiently detect and shun such errors.

2. Discuss problems inherent in creating quality control materials for immunohaematology 10 marks (Half a page)

The main problem in creating quality control materials for immunohaematology is that samples dealt with involve an integral part of the cell membrane for example. An A or B antigen of a red blood cell. Therefore dilution is not usually an option as the level of analyte is restricted to its natural cell expression and presentation.

3. Imagine you are in charge of a laboratory which performs ABO grouping on donors. Would you purchase Kodecytes as your QC material of choice? Justify your answer. 30 marks (one page)

The application of KODE technology in QC system products enables Group O human red blood cells to be converted to an Aweakbweak cell, providing the worlds first precise and reliable ABO blood groping sensitivity control. The technology is used to create cells with reproducible ,precisely controlled weak expressions of A and B antigens to mimic the reactions of weka A and B cells like Ax and Bx cells, thus eliminating variations seen in natural weak ABO red cells. The technology also enables the engineering of group AweakBweak samples that provide weak reactions in blood grouping systems working correctly.

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