RIMS botches up blood test

Doctor clarifies that 3 percent error in testing occurs

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

At least three percent of blood tests conducted at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) via the ‘slide’ method are bound to go wrong, it is not a credible report and authentication must be done through the tubing method, a doctor of the institute maintained.

A woman had tested her blood at RIMS on July 27 and the result declared ‘O’ positive. But, she conducted another tests at a private facility as she doubted the RIMS result. The patient named Puspa from Langol Games Village conducted tests at Raj Medicity and Langol View Clinic. The reports of the private hospitals said ‘A’ positive.

Imphal Free Press approached the RIMS head of blood transfusion, Dr A. Birendra Sharma about the result and he stated that the slide method of testing blood is subject to error. Despite the RIMS certification of the blood test signed by the concerned laboratory technician and the medical officer, the certificate is not reliable. This point was stated by Dr Birendra.

He mentioned that this ‘slide’ test is conducted by at least 50 persons on a daily basis for various reasons including application of driving license, school admission etc at the Out Patients Department.

He mentioned that the error is due to the chemical used in testing the blood being exposed to room temperature for hours or due to manual fault. The potency of the reagent may decrease and affect the outcome of the result, he said.

Further, he owned up the fact that during blood donation drives, similar errors occurred because the test is done for quick disposal and the report has to be given fast. He, however, maintained that the slide test cannot be official for any operations involving blood transfusion and a valid test will be done before the patient is operated upon. And if there is no means to verify the blood group,  ‘O’ positive can be given to any individual as an emergency procedure, Birendra said.

He clarified that the certificate may cause confusion to patients and a disclaimer will be added to the certificate in future stating that the test result, conducted at the OPD is subject to error.