The 1989 Comprehensive Blood Bank Survey of the College of American Pathologists

The 1989 Comprehensive Blood Bank Survey included four additional samples for a total of eight antibody detection and identification challenges. The remainder of the survey was unchanged from prior years. Performance on the graded portions has remained good, with only occasional 'problem' samples. For this survey year, the discrepant results were as follows: (1) a D- positive sample not reaching 95% consensus of D typing due to a strong positive direct antiglobulin test; (2) failure of 7% of extent 3 laboratories to identify anti-K in the presence of anti-c; and (3) continued, but lessened 'identification' of anti-E, which was not present. The ungraded samples continued to provide educational challenges, and supplemental questions were used to survey current practices.