Antibody Screen

Antibody screening is performed on all blood donations. The purpose is to detect clinically significant red cell antibodies, i.e., those that could destroy recipient red cells. Unlike the possible anamnestic response in patients, there is no danger of an increase in antibody level during storage. Therefore, the methods used for antibody detection in donors are not as sensitive as those used for pretransfusion testing of recipients.

Canadian Blood Services routinely issues packed red blood cells from donors with red cell antibodies to all hospital customers. Each unit is labeled (on the lower left quadrant of the label) to indicate the presence of antibodies in the donor plasma.

Plasma and Platelets from donors with red cell antibodies are NOT issued for transfusion.