Originally posted by jobob
Results
Mixed RBC populations were identified in 22 of 25 patients tested. The three patients with antigenically homogeneous populations of RBCs were subsequently found not to have received their scheduled transfusions.
The statement that bothers me is: "were subsequently found not to have received their scheduled transfusions." In a controlled experiment, they would have a control group and a transfused group. They would transfuse blood into 20 people. And get 20 more people who had not had transfusions. Then they would test the 40 samples. A successful test would be able to tell which samples have homogenous populations and which ones did not.

Also, it seems like a VERY small sample (25 patients) to draw conclusive results!