Antibody screening and identification focuses on the detection and identification of unexpected and clinically significant antibodies. Clinically significant antibodies are those antibodies capable of causing red cell destruction. These antibodies must be identified so that appropriate blood products are selected for transfusion and the risk of adverse reactions, such as transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease of the newborn, are minimized.

This course will take you through several methods that can be used in the process of detecting and identifying an antibody in transfusion medicine. Four case studies are presented that take you step-by-step through these procedures and provide you with appropriate panel results. 

Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science students and pathology residents.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss methods that are used to facilitate antibody identification.
• Discuss the reactions that would be seen on an antibody panel if any of the following antibodies are present: homozygous, heterozygous, antibody to high-incidence antigen or low-incidence antigen, and an antibody exhibiting dosage.
• Outline the process that should be followed to identify the unknown antibodies that are present in the given case studies.
• Assess antibody panels to determine if any of the following are present: Multiple antibodies, cold antibodies, or warm autoantibodies.
• Determine how to interpret the strengths of panel reactions, how to choose selected cell panels, and when to run enzyme panels.

This course has been approved for P.A.C.E.® credit. There are no prerequisites for this course.