Immediate Alanine Aminotransferase Testing for Donor Screening: Use of the Reflotron on Blood Drives

Screening blood donors for elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is required to help reduce the incidence of transfusion-transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. A study of the cost-effectiveness and usability of the Reflotron (Boehringer-Mannheim Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind), an on-site instrument for measuring ALT, is reported. On four blood drives, 118 donors were tested, with a rejection rate of 4.2%. The Reflotron was found to be cost-saving in terms of the College of American Pathologists workload units at a rejection rate of 0.85% or greater. Advantages regarding utility include portability, easy oper ability, and savings on donor time. The disadvantages (single-specimen analysis and lack of sample identification) are relatively minor and can be overcome. We conclude that the Reflotron is a convenient and cost-effective instrument for use in donor screening.