Comparative study of blood cross matching using conventional tube and gel method

Background: Conventionally tube method is used for compatibility and cross matching in transfusion medicine. Methods: A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of conventional tube and gel technique. Result: Compatibility testing was performed on 1000 blood samples by conventional test tube method and DiaMed gel method. The results were analysed. Conclusion: The gel method was found to be a rapid and reliable procedure without controls. There was no requirement of wash phase in indirect antiglobulin test and sensitivity and specificity was comparable to spin tube method. We conclude that this technique is a better substitute for spin tube method.