The Royal Berkshire Blood Transfusion Departments offers the following test repertoire.
Test | Turn Around Time and Notes |
Group & Antibody Screen | 4 hours |
Crossmatch | Emergency Red Cell Units (emergency stock) are available in South Wing and Maternity fridges only. This is for use in extreme emergencies only. Please contact the Blood Bank BEFORE removing the emergency stock.
If two group and antibody screen samples have been processed and found to have a negative antibody screen by the laboratory, prior to a request for units then group specific blood can be available within 15 minutes. One sample may be historic.
If the patient has been grouped on one occasion only, a second sample will be required unless in exceptional circumstances i.e. major haemorrhage. Blood can be available within 15 minutes following the receipt of the second specimen and confirmation for the blood group. Group Specific units will be issued.
In an emergency situation, where the patient has not been grouped or antibody screened at the RBH before, blood can be available within 1 hour providing the antibody screen is negative following the receipt of the second specimen for confirmation of the blood group.
If the patient has blood group antibodies, where samples may need to be referred to NHS Blood and Transplant for confirmation, the turn-round time will be significantly longer, possibly > 48 hours. |
Direct Antiglobulin Test DAT also known as DCT | 1 day. |
Paediatric group and DAT | 4 hours. |
Post delivery investigations of RhD Negative patients and Kleihauer | Within 72 hours. |
PNH | 1 day. One 6ml EDTA (pink top) <24 hours old is required. | Investigation of a transfusion reaction | >1 hour If the patient is suspected of having a haemolytic transfusion reaction, the transfusion must be stopped immediately. All remaining units should be returned to Blood Transfusion (sealed if opened). Send a fully labelled 6ml EDTA specimen (pink top) for investigation. |