Evaluating the possible implementation of a type and screen system.

In order to assess the feasibility of using a type and screen procedure in Kyoto, our laboratory did a retrospective study of 31, 490 crossmatches performed on 4, 276 patient samples. This included analysis of 672 patients who had positive antibody histories, and the distribution of the antibody specificities they developed. This study also reviewed a single (0.03%) case in which a patient with no history of antibody problems, and negative antibody screening, had an incompatible crossmatch. We also reviewed 11 (2.42%) cases of patients with histories of positive antibody screenings in which the current sample was nonreactive but the crossmatch was incompatible.We have concluded that patient safety would not be at risk if certain essential guidelines are met when adopting a type and screen procedure.