Abstract
BACKGROUND: Erycard 2.0 is a “point-of-care” device that is primarily being used for patient
blood grouping before transfusion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Erycard 2.0 was compared with conventional slide technology for accuracy and time
taken for ABO and Rh forward grouping result with column agglutination technology
(CAT) being the gold standard. Erycard 2.0 as a device was also evaluated for its
stability under different storage conditions and stability of result till 48 h. In
addition, grouping of hemolyzed samples was also tested with Erycard 2.0. Ease of
use of Erycard 2.0 was evaluated with a survey among paramedical staff.
RESULTS: Erycard 2.0 demonstrated 100% concordance with CAT as compared with slide technique
(98.9%). Mean time taken per test by Erycard 2.0 and slide technique was 5.13 min
and 1.7 min, respectively. After pretesting storage under different temperature and
humidity conditions, Erycard 2.0 did not show any deviation from the result. The result
did not change even after 48 h of testing and storage under room temperature. 100%
concordance was recorded between pre- and post-hemolyzed blood grouping. Ease of use
survey revealed that Erycard 2.0 was more acceptable to paramedical staff for its
simplicity, objectivity, and performance than conventional slide technique.
CONCLUSION: Erycard 2.0 can be used as “point-of-care” device for blood donor screening for ABO
and Rh blood group and can possibly replace conventional slide technique.
Key words
ABO grouping - Column Agglutination Technology - donor screening - ease of use - Erycard
- lateral flow - point of care - stability
