ABSTRACT
Compatibility testing is the major process which separates the transfusion of red blood cells from the administration o f other types o f pharmaceutical prod ucts (Chapter 1). The purpose o f compatibility testing is the avoidance o f a hemolytic reaction. This is o f cardinal importance, since some types o f hemolytic reactions can result in a fatal outcome. The technical procedures used in compat ibility testing have undergone significant changes over the past few decades. The critical steps in this process are shown in Table 7.1.
