Transfusion
The RCPAQAP Transfusion discipline covers all routine tests performed in a pre-transfusion testing laboratory including clinical decision making on given scenarios. The Individual Assessment program is designed to assist laboratory supervisors to maintain and assess individual staff competencies while also enabling individual staff to meet EQA participation requirements as stipulated by the guidelines. The Foetal Maternal Haemorrhage Estimation program is for assessing laboratories on methods used in estimating foetal red cells in maternal samples.
The Transfusion Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
The Snake Venom Detection Program Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
Blood Grouping and Antibody Screen/Identification
The aim of this program is to assess blood grouping only or antibody screen and identification.
Catalogue Number
19010102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
EDTA whole bloodSample volume
6mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Blood grouping, Antibody Screen/Identification – OptionalStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on November 23, 2020
Foeto-Maternal Haemorrhage Estimation
The aim of this program is to assess percentage and volume of foetal cells and the number of anti-D vials.
Catalogue Number
19020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
EDTA whole bloodSample volume
2mLSchedule
February, April, August, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Foetal Maternal Haemorrhage EstimationStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within 72 hours of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
General Transfusion – Antibody Titre
The aim of this program is to assess the level of anti-D titre in the sample
Catalogue Number
19030102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
PlasmaSample volume
2mLSchedule
March, May, July, SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Anti-D TitreStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on October 20, 2020
General Transfusion – Basic Compatibility
This program is based on various clinical scenarios. Based on the clinical scenario, participants are required to perform blood group, antibody screen, DAT and crossmatch
Catalogue Number
19040102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
EDTA whole blood and red cellsSample volume
4mL and 2mLSchedule
March, May, July, SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Blood grouping, Antibody screen, Crossmatch/ compatibility testing, DATStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
General Transfusion – General Compatibility
This program is based on various clinical scenarios.
Catalogue Number
19050102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
variableSample Type
EDTA whole blood and red cellsSample volume
4mL and 2mLSchedule
January, March, May, July, September, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Blood grouping, Antibody screen, Antibody identification, Crossmatch/ compatibility testing, Phenotyping, DAT, Elution studies.Storage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
General Transfusion – Phenotyping
The aim of this program is to assess on results for antisera held in laboratories.
Catalogue Number
19060102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Red cellsSample volume
4mLSchedule
January, March, May, July, September, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Extended Red Cell Antigen PhenotypingStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on September 25, 2020
Snake Venom Detection
A dry swab is supplied for the detection of Australian snake venom.
Catalogue Number
19080102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
SwabSample volume
n/aSchedule
SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Snake venom detectionStorage and Handling
Samples should be stored at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
Transfusion Competency – Antibody Identification Module (Overseas participants only)
The aim of this program is to assess antibody identification
Catalogue Number
19090102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
EDTA whole bloodSample volume
4mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Antibody identificationStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
Transfusion Competency – Antibody Screen Module (Overseas participants only)
Catalogue Number
19100102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
EDTA whole bloodSample volume
4mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Antibody screenStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on February 10, 2021
Transfusion Competency – Blood Grouping Module (Overseas participants only)
The aim of this program is to assess blood grouping
Catalogue Number
19110102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
3Sample Type
EDTA whole blood and red cellsSample volume
4mL and 2mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Blood grouping, Weak D testing, DAT, Antibody identification, Antibody screen, Phenotyping (Rh/ K antigens only), Crossmatching / Compatibility TestingStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
Transfusion Competency – Crossmatching / Compatibility Testing Module (Overseas participants only)
The aim of this program is to assess crossmatching
Catalogue Number
19120102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
2 red cell donor unitsSample volume
4mL + 2mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Crossmatching / Compatibility TestingStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on June 16, 2021
Transfusion Competency – DAT Module (Overseas participants only)
The aim of this program is to assess DAT
Catalogue Number
19130102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
6Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
EDTA red cellsSample volume
2mLSchedule
February, April, June, August, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
DATStorage and Handling
Store samples at 2-8°C. RCPAQAP Transfusion samples must be tested within five (5) days of receipt because they are liable to haemolysis on prolonged storage. Some degree of haemolysis can be expected in the survey material, however based on historical records, there has been no negative effect in performance for participants reporting results on mild to moderately haemolysed survey samples. A haemolysis index diagram is provided.Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
