Automation and Data Processing in Blood Banking Using the Ortho AutoVue® Innova System

Abstract

The use of automated techniques reduces the impact of human errors in blood banking and improves standardization and quality of achieved results. Work processes were analyzed to see where improvements could be made before installing an automated testing instrument. The suitability of automation and data processing in order to reduce the bulk of routine and emergency work was explored. Methods: The evaluation focused on blood group and subgroup typing, crossmatching, and antibody screening using the Ortho AutoVue Innova System compared to standard manual methods. Results: The redesigned layout of the workspace led to a reduction of the operator’s working process time of the specimen by 6%, whereas process optimizations resulted in shortening of the operator’s working process time by 53%. Using the manual DiaMed system and the automatic AutoVue system, corresponding results were achieved for blood group typing (100%), rhesus typing (100%), antibody screening (100%), and autocontrol (87%). For known antibodies from freeze samples this correspondence amounted to 82%. The turnaround time from receipt at blood bank to completion for standard cross-matching, blood typing, and antibody screening is decreased up to 17% using the automatic system due to the standardization and automation of testing. Conclusion: The Ortho AutoVue Innova System facilitates the automation of routine blood bank testing, enrolling blood typing, cross-matching, and antibody screening with high reliability, sensitivity and specificity compared to standard manual methods.

Formalizing and Verifying Workflows Used in Blood Banks

“…Dada et. al [16] discusses blood banks automation and how it aided in decreasing errors while increasing accuracy through changing the work arrangement. Rutle et.…”

“…Rutle et. al recommends to create a formal workflow for blood banks that will aid in increasing safety within the process [16]. In order to ensure safety there is a need for an error free workflow in healthcare [17].…”

Mechatronic system for performing blood pre-transfusion tests

“…They show that none of these systems can give results in less than 10 min. Thus, for ABO and Rh test, the Echo system is the one which allows obtaining results in a shorter time, followed by the Galileo [12], Tango Optimo [13], AutoVue Innova [14] Wadiana [15], Qwalys 3 [16], and ProVue [17] systems.…”

Prototype for determination of pre-transfusion tests based on image processing techniques

“…To eliminate human errors associated with performing tests several systems have been presented, including the Technicon AutoAnalyzer [14][15][16], TechniconAutoAnalyzer II [17,18], Groupamatic [15,19], Auto-Grouper [15], Olympus PK 7200 [15,[20][21][22][23], Immucor Galileo [24,25], Ortho AutoVue ® Innova System [26], Tango ® Automated Blood Bank [27] and the Techno TwinStation [28]. Commercial systems available on the market are effective and reliable but are not perfectly suited to emergency scenarios.…”