Referral Tests Within Blood Transfusion

Up to >95% of samples sent to the Blood Transfusion Laboratory are processed and reported without the need or requirement to refer to the National Blood Transfusion Red Cell Investigation (RCI) or Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratories.

Samples are referred to the NHSBT RCI and H&I on occasion where there are complex antibodies or group anomalies which the blood transfusion laboratory is not able to identify or where rare and specific components are required for patients.

There are seven reference laboratories, and the Birmingham Centre is BCPS’s local referral laboratory. Samples may be moved to one of the other sites where more specialised testing is centralised, e.g., Filton for free fetal DNA testing and TRALI investigations.

Please transport all samples at room temperature. For postage packaging must comply with the Carriage and Packaging of Dangerous Goods Act.

The turnaround time (TAT) for samples is based on those stages of the process which NHSBT can control and measure, i.e. from the date and time of receipt into our laboratory to the date of printing of the report. Results will be available on SP-ICE within 1 hour of authorisation. It is therefore crucial that samples requested from clinical areas that need referring to one of these specialised laboratories are taken, delivered to the Blood Transfusion laboratory and then transported to the RCI/H&I centre is completed in a timely manner.

The Specific Contracted TAT for NHSBT is:

Reference samples – NHSBT normally issues 95% of reports within five working days of receipt of sample except in cases where complex antibody combinations are encountered or where extensive testing is required. In these cases, the referring transfusion laboratory will be notified, and a report will be issued as soon as investigations are complete.

Antenatal Screening Samples – NHSBT will normally issue 95% of reports within three working days of receipt of sample.

RCI Laboratories will prioritise investigations according to the clinical requirements of the case as detailed on the request form.

The Blood Transfusion Laboratory will normally report via its Laboratory Information System a report within 24 hours of the referral report being made available on their SP-ICE system.