Automation and data processing with the immucor Galileo (R) system in a university blood bank

Background: The implementation of automated techniques improves the
workflow and quality of immuno-hematological results. The workflows
of our university blood bank were reviewed during the
implementation of an automated immunohematological testing system.
Methods: Work impact of blood grouping and subgrouping, cross-
matching and antibody search using the Immucor Galileo system was
compared to the previous used standard manual and semi- automated
methods. Results: The redesign of our workflow did not achieve a
significant reduction of the specimen's working process time, the
operator's time however was reduced by 23%. Corresponding results
were achieved for blood grouping, Rhesus typing, antibody screen
and for autocontrol when changing from two semi- automated to the
Galileo system. Because of the higher sensitivity of the Immucor
antibody detection system, the rate of the initial positive
antibody screens rose from 4 to 6% Conclusion: The Immucor Galileo
system automates routine blood bank testing with high reliability,
specificity and higher sensitivity compared to our previous used
standard manual and semi- automated methods.