Transfusion Laboratory Safety - Updates

Transfusion Laboratory Safety CS1 - The Transfusion Training Hub - The Transfusion Training Hub (TTH) went live, on this website, on April 2024. Since its launch it has seen an average of 2000 views per month. Primarily developed for biomedical scientists, various other healthcare professionals including Transfusion Practitioners and nurses have accessed it. Content has also broadened to be inclusive for donors and patients. 

The T2024 team also won an award for best abstract from SHOT, in July 2024!

Results - To evaluate the impact of the TTH—and to determine whether it addresses a recommendation from the UKTLC 2022 Survey to increase access to self-directed learning, aimed at improving transfusion knowledge and supporting laboratory training—we conducted an impact assessment survey between July 25 and October 25, receiving 70 responses.

Survey highlights

• The responses were positive, receiving an overall rating of 4.24/5 stars for a training resource.
• 86% say we have achieved/partially achieved better access to self-directed learning​
• 67% said it had improved their own/their staff self-directed learning​
• Resources could be found 94% of the time​
• 44% had found new resources or enrolled onto a course
• 84% had included or considered including the hub in their departmental training plans
• 50% had forwarded resources onto a colleague

All results can be found attached below. 

Spreading the word! - The T2024 team have been busy promoting this useful resource, with various poster presentations (see attached).

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.

Ongoing work - A working group has been established, with representation from NHSBT, 17 UK universities and the IBMS, to develop a support package to supplement transfusion science teaching in BSc Biomedical Science degree courses. Development of six e-learning modules began in October 2025. The modules will include foundational transfusion science content, designed to compliment transfusion lectures. They will be scenario based, incorporating the importance of patient safety as well as the vital role Biomedical scientists play in their care. Watch this space...

Spreading the word! - In November 2025, we were invited to present at the Joint UK NEQAS BTLP and BBTS Blood Bank Technology SIG Annual Meeting to discuss this project and its exciting developments. The presentation is attached.

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.

October 2023 - A survey was circulated to hospital laboratory staff to gain an understanding of what the current knowledge gaps are within laboratories, what barriers exist to prevent laboratory staff from accessing or attending training currently offered and what would be the preferred method of delivery and duration for training. 

158 responses were received and analysed. 

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. 

RCI Assist Awareness sessions 

A series of awareness sessions were held throughout January 2025. A link to one of the recordings is available to watch here.