The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service is about to change its Blood Bank technical procedures from the manual tube method to column agglutination technology.

In order to implement this change, we require EDTA samples instead of the dry specimen tube currently used. However, in order to facilitate the change-over, we require that both the EDTA and the dry sample be sent to the Blood Bank for requests for blood and blood products.

This must take effect on Thursday 15 June 2006.

The expected change-over is planned for early July 2006, after which only the EDTA sample is required.

The pre-labelled 7ml EDTA samples are available at the Blood Bank, at no cost until the change-over occurs. Please note that only these samples will be accepted by the Blood Bank.

Please forward this letter to all medical personnel in your institution who is responsible for requesting blood and blood products.

Should you have any queries please contact your nearest blood bank or Michael Lennards (Senior Technical Manager ) on (021) 507 6390.