ASPECTS OF A COMPUTER-ASSISTED SYSTEM FOR CALLING BLOOD DONORS FROM A SPECIALIZED PANEL

A system is described for locating within a region people who have special blood‐group antibodies in their serum, identifying those who may be able to donate blood, and obtaining donations of such blood. This system is oriented to collecting relatively large amounts of blood containing anti‐Rho(D) to meet present requirements for anti‐D immunoglobulin without resorting to artificial immunization, and is extended to include people who have other antibodies which may be required for blood typing. A computer is used to perform much of the intricate clerical work. Certain problems relating to the use of a computer within the context of blood transfusion are identified and discussed, with special reference to systems analysis, donor identification, and blood‐group terminology. 1969 AABB