Antigen Plus Ab-ID
Red Cell Antigen Search Program With Test Results Evaluations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Antigen Plus use a fancy mathematical probability program to do exclusions?
No. Antigen Plus uses exactly the same logic recommended in the AABB Technical Manual. It requires double dose or “homozygous” expression of the clinically significant antigens as recommended by the Technical Manual.
Does Antigen Plus recognize that K is often present as a single dose example on most panels?
Yes. Since the Kell System is not commonly associated with the problem of dosage, the program will exclude K when testing with a K+k+ cell. Antigen Plus will also exclude E or C in the presence of Anti-D since most labs seldom have rare r”r” or r’r’ cells available for exclusions.
Will Antigen Plus identify the antibody for me?
No. Antigen Plus is a tool to assist the technologist by automating the exclusion part of the process. The Evaluation box at the bottom of the Results panel screen will show you which antigens have been tentatively excluded. It is very important that the technologist performing the testing retain control of the investigation. Antibody identification can be very labor-intensive and tiring. Using Antigen Plus will help minimize the common errors made under such stressful conditions.
Do I have to manually enter panel cells?
No. Electronically delivered files for Ortho-Diagnostics, Immucor, and Medion can be provided by Rowny Systems. The program has been designed to allow downloading of all Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics screen and panel products.
How does Antigen Plus deal with ficin-treated panel cells?
When you are recording results from any enzyme-treated cell, put the results in the column labeled Enz and Antigen Plus will correctly interpret the results. The column labeled DTT is designed to correctly interpret results from testing with cells treated with reducing compounds such as DTT or AET.
I manage an advanced level immunohematology reference lab with an experienced staff. Why would I need such a tool?
Antigen Plus saves time. The program locates cells by phenotype in seconds compared to a manual search through multiple panel sheets. In labs that perform complex identifications, there is often a large library of rare cells kept frozen. These cells can be manually added to the database and search for separately using the “frozen” attribute in the search screen.
What validation is required?
When you load your new copy of Antigen Plus onto your network or stand alone PC, you need to validate that the functions you intend to use, work correctly. There is a validation plan written in NCCLS SOP format posted on www.rowny.com that you can download and modify to suit your Quality Plan requirements.
Do I need to re-validate every time I add new panel information?
No. What you need to prove is that the panel data in your system is unaltered from the information originally provided by your red cell supplier. To do this, print a copy of the panel by lot # and do a line by line comparison to prove the data is identical. Your lab SOPs can direct staff about signatures, keeping copies and any other Quality Plan issue.
I wish to save my results electronically for faster comparison to the next sample sent in for testing. Will Antigen Plus do that?
Yes. Antigen Plus will save results according to whatever naming or numbering system you wish to use. The previous results can be restored for more cells to be added and then saved again. Or if the same cells are available, they can be re-tested and reaction strength compared.
How much does the program cost?
The cost for Antigen Plus Version 7 is $500 for the annual license and $250 for panel download capability. All panels that manufacturers make available to us are included. Currently those are Immucor, Medion, and Ortho.
How much will the new version of the program cost if I wish to add the capability of downloading Ortho panels?
If you purchased Antigen Plus within the last year, the first year of Ortho capability is free. If you are using the programs and receiving weekly panel emails, the Ortho upgrade is $500 for the annual license and the panel subscription is automatically renewed for one year at no charge. First time purchasers pay $500 for the annual license and $150 for Immucor and $75 for Medion panel emails. The license for the program must be renewed annually—the panel subscriptions are optional.