Background: Conventionally tube method is used for compatibility and cross matching in transfusion medicine. Methods: A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of conventional tube and gel technique. Result: Compatibility testing was performed on 1000 blood samples by conventional test tube method and DiaMed gel method. The results were analysed. Conclusion: The gel method was found to be a rapid and reliable procedure without controls. There was no requirement of wash phase in indirect antiglobulin test and sensitivity and specificity was comparable to spin tube method. We conclude that this technique is a better substitute for spin tube method. MJAFI 2008; 64 : 129-130

forms were demand for single unit blood. Blood was collected against only 1099 forms (39.34%) out of which 713 (64.88%) were single unit issue. Urgency of requirement and blood group of patients was omitted in 56% cases. 104 forms were received without mention of the indications for transfusion. History of previous transfusion and prcgnancylHDN were omitted in 25.1 % and 37.38% cases respectively. At an average 14.61 % of the total collection was discarded. Of the 292 units discarded, 242 units were due to non utilisation. A transfusion committee should be established in all hospitals with a licensed blood bank. It should constitute definite objectives and conduct regular audits (prospective audit, concurrent review or retrospective review), in order to achieve utmost efliciency and numerous benefits, in terms of workload, cost, errors, risks of transfusion and ultimately increased customer satisfaction. It should strive to abolish single unit and inappropriate transfusion, and advocate autologous transfusion.

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