Equivalence of spray-dried K₂EDTA, spray-dried K ₃EDTA, and liquid K₃EDTA anticoagulated blood samples for routine blood center or transfusion service testing

We compared the results of routine blood tests for 102 blood donors' samples and 100 patients' samples collected in spray-dried K₂EDTA, spray-dried K₃EDTA, and liquid K₃EDTA blood collection tubes to evaluate the impact of changes in formulation of the anticoagulant (K₂EDTA vs. K₃EDTA), its application (liquid vs. spray-dried), and tube material (glass vs. plastic). Methods for ABO/D testing, antibody screening, and antibody identification included direct hemagglutination/microplate (Olympus® PK 7200) and gel column methods (Ortho ID-Micro Typing System™/Gel Test™). Additional studies on blood donors' samples included time delayed antigen testing and antibody identification and half-draw/half-evacuated collections. Also, we compared the results of routine ABO/D testing and antibody screening for 50 patients' samples collected in spray-dried K₂EDTA and spray-dried K ₃EDTA and for an additional 50 patients' samples collected in spray-dried K₂EDTA tubes from two different manufacturers. All patients' samples were tested in parallel by solid phase/microplate method (Immucor® ABS 2000) and the standard manual tube method. All test results for routine blood bank tests on donors' and patients' samples were concordant, demonstrating the equivalence of spray-dried K₂EDTA, spray-dried K₃EDTA, and liquid K₃EDTA blood collection tubes for routine donor center or transfusion service testing.