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

19010102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood

Sample volume

6mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

Blood grouping, Antibody Screen/Identification – Optional

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 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

19020102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

4

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood

Sample volume

2mL

Schedule

February, April, August, October

Measurand/Test

Foetal Maternal Haemorrhage Estimation

Storage 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

19030102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

4

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Plasma

Sample volume

2mL

Schedule

March, May, July, September

Measurand/Test

Anti-D Titre

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 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

19040102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

4

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood and red cells

Sample volume

4mL and 2mL

Schedule

March, May, July, September

Measurand/Test

Blood grouping, Antibody screen, Crossmatch/ compatibility testing, DAT

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 – General Compatibility

This program is based on various clinical scenarios.

Catalogue Number

19050102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

variable

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood and red cells

Sample volume

4mL and 2mL

Schedule

January, March, May, July, September, November

Measurand/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

19060102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

4

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Red cells

Sample volume

4mL

Schedule

January, March, May, July, September, November

Measurand/Test

Extended Red Cell Antigen Phenotyping

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 September 25, 2020

Snake Venom Detection

A dry swab is supplied for the detection of Australian snake venom.

Catalogue Number

19080102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Swab

Sample volume

n/a

Schedule

September

Measurand/Test

Snake venom detection

Storage 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

19090102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood

Sample volume

4mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

Antibody identification

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

Transfusion Competency – Antibody Screen Module (Overseas participants only)

The aim of this program is o assess antibody screen

Catalogue Number

19100102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood

Sample volume

4mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

Antibody screen

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

Transfusion Competency – Blood Grouping Module (Overseas participants only)

The aim of this program is to assess blood grouping

Catalogue Number

19110102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

3

Sample Type

EDTA whole blood and red cells

Sample volume

4mL and 2mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

Blood grouping, Weak D testing, DAT, Antibody identification, Antibody screen, Phenotyping (Rh/ K antigens only), Crossmatching / Compatibility Testing

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

Transfusion Competency – Crossmatching / Compatibility Testing Module (Overseas participants only)

The aim of this program is to assess crossmatching

Catalogue Number

19120102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

2 red cell donor units

Sample volume

2mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

Crossmatching / Compatibility Testing

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

Transfusion Competency – DAT Module (Overseas participants only)

The aim of this program is to assess DAT

Catalogue Number

19130102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

6

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

EDTA red cells

Sample volume

2mL

Schedule

February, April, June, August, October, November

Measurand/Test

DAT

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