LISS—an Effective Way to Increase Blood Utilization

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Abstract
The low ionic strength solution (LISS) of Low and Messeter was compared with the automated low ionic strength polybrene and the manual IDAT techniques. A 5 min incubation with the LISS was sufficient to detect all significant [human] antibodies. By extending the incubation period to 15 min it was possible to increase the sensitivity of the reaction (as measured by titer) beyond that of either of the other methods. The LISS procedure greatly extends the applications of a standby procedure for elective surgery. In this procedure routine crossmatching is not done. Rather, the blood is placed on standby and if required, transfusion is provided by using the LISS. In 1 general hospital this resulted in the reduction by 1600 units of unnecessary crossmatches and an increase of 10% in the total blood utilization rate over a 9 mo. period.