Transfusion Laboratory Safety - Updates

Project S2 - Review of transfusion content in undergraduate provision - In January 2024, a survey was developed, with the help of University lecturers Alex Liversidge and Martin Maley, and then circulated via IBMS to all lecturers responsible for delivering transfusion content on IBMS accredited undergraduate Biomedical Science degree courses. Results were collated, analysed and recommendations were drawn. A summary sheet of the findings was developed and circulated as a thank you for all respondents who completed the survey.

Results - 37 out of a possible 53 universities responded (70% response rate). Please see attached findings and summary sheet. Contact Jill Caulfield (jill.caulfield@nhsbt.nhs.uk) for further information.

Project S1 - Training and knowledge needs/gap analysis - The survey was circulated to hospital laboratory staff in October 2023. Results were collated, analysed and recommendations were drawn. A summary sheet of the findings was developed and circulated as a thank you for all respondents who completed the survey.

Results - 158 individual responses from 64 hospitals (45 trusts). Please see completed results and summary sheet. Contact Jill Caulfield (jill.caulfield@nhsbt.nhs.uk) for further information.

UKTLC standards in final draft, approved by IBMS and awaiting endorsed by RCPath

Guidance drafted and to be linked to UKTLC standards (B2)

Ongoing dialogue with those involved 

MHRA have stated they will not support unified standards but willing to review where there are discrepant outcomes between MHRA and UKAS inspections

Close collaboration continues with full online with ongoing discussions to improve this further, a joint reporting guide is available which is updated regularly 

Following a pilot in 2020 between the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals and Newcastle RCI, further pilots were rolled out in 2023 across Path Links Pathology Network supported by RCI Barnsley; and East and Southeast London Pathology Partnership supported by RCI Tooting.  

A retrospective review of reference referrals for these pilot sites was undertaken to identify at which point a sample would have been referred if using RCI Assist, and the number of potential ‘dry’ referrals was calculated. The review identified 14% of reference referrals could potentially be concluded remotely. Prospective data was captured during the pilot.

Results

Of the referrals analysed during the pilot, 5% ‘dry’ referrals were received from the pilot sites, versus 14% expected. The same data was reviewed for a control group of non-pilot sites, and showed no reduction in the number of referrals where the tool was not being used. 

The aim of the pilot was to improve HTL staff confidence by providing reassurance about investigations. Qualitative data showed staff felt more confident when using RCI Assist, and, alongside greater consciousness of referrals, is the reason for the reduction, negating the need for remote interpretation.