Blood types

[d745]

Hi all

Is there a simple test or procedure that can be done to determine blood type? How hard is it to learn to do a blood type, i.e. in an emergency field situation?

[tangent]

blood types are fairly easy to do, given the correct materials. problem is, I don't know any way to do one without a microscope and field microscopes that you might consider carrying, are fairly expensive. beyond that, what good is a blood type to you? transfusions can be dicey!

[d745]

Was thinking it would be something I could learn to do. But I think I will pass as it is not conducive to field work. Thanks for the info.

[Flotsam]

There are systems that will give you ABO types using a simple finger stick & some reagents (you get a simple color change to indicate) I honestly can't recall what they were called, but I remember seeing them when I was in undergrad.

Sam

edited to add:

http://www.craigmedical.com/Blood_typing_kit.htm

[tangent]

interesting - thanks!

they are on the expensive side at $10 ea, there is a price break if you get 25, down to $5 ea. wonder how many you'd have to get to bring the price to $1-2ea? - at that price, and in small quantities - I think they would sell. I'd certainly buy a few.

didn't say anything about shelf life or storage conditions. I suspect it's rather restricted.

[d745]

Thanks Flotsam for the info and link.
I wrote to the people at Craig Medical and asked about there product. Specifically Shelf life and storage conditions. Will post the reply If the product will last a long time I may purchase a 24 pack just to have on hand.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Originally posted by d745
I wrote to the people at Craig Medical and asked about there product. Specifically Shelf life and storage conditions. Will post the reply

Would be very interested to hear the results.

RR

[d745]

The answer they sent to me was 2 plus years shelf life. No information about storage conditions.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Beats 6-8 months I guess for a shelf life. One might only wonder what the practical storage life is. Being liquid reagent based it goes without saying that cool and dry storage is ideal. But for austere conditions it would be nice to know how hot and moist (tropical, for instance) would affect them.

Just musing aloud. Perhaps one of the readers out there has some experience with this.

RR

[tangent]

hot and moist? - not well. But with good packaging that's just hot. still not great. I suspect the shelf life could be considerably longer given good packaging and storrage conditions. fridge is probably the best place for them.

I have a paper arround here someplace about another lab indicator. As I recall, it did fairly well a year post expiration, most working, though sometimes giving diminished positive markings. some did not work. If you tested with 2-3 cards, you would have a fairly good confidence in the results.

freeze dried ABO and RH indicators, have as I recall, a shelf life of 3-4 years according to the manufacturer. So that's probably 4-5 years. I'm reallly guessing here, as it's been a while since I saw that information. I have more specific and accurate data on both arround here someplace and will try to find and post.

-t