Evaluation of the polyethylene glycol-potentiated indirect antiglobulin test.

Results of the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) potentiated by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were compared with those of the IAT performed with bovine serum albumin (BSA). This retrospective study, which encompasses 3 years, confirms that use of PEG-IAT increases the rate of detection of clinically significant red cell (RBC) antibodies, decreases the detection of insignificant antibodies, reduces the need to use other serologic enhancement techniques (such as enzyme modification of RBCs), and has a positive impact on the laboratory's workload. These advantages are provided with no diminution in the quality of service provided by the blood bank.