Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI)

Services provided by our laboratories

RCI offers a range of reference testing services which provide vital support for blood transfusion, organ and stem cell transplantation by ensuring the safety and clinical efficacy of transfusion and transplantation.

Using our network of laboratories, we work closely with hospital laboratories to support routine blood testing, complex and confirmatory testing. We provide 24/7 support, online access to results and well respected training programmes for laboratory staff.

Our services include the following:

• Follow-up red cell serology for antenatal patients with red cell antibodies, including quantification and titration of antibodies
• Investigations of blood grouping problems
• Genotyping for selected cases and haemoglobinopathy patients
• Investigation of red cell antibodies, including cross-matching in cases of transfusion problems
• Investigation of cases with a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT)
• Assessment of feto-maternal haemorrhage (FMH) by flow cytometry
• Investigation of adverse transfusion reactions
  
  

Expertise 

Our customer focused staff work with hospitals to develop a clear understanding of their needs, ensuring we can quickly and clearly deal with complex enquiries to support hospitals and ensure the best patient outcome.

Our professional and experienced serologists have access to genotyping facilities, specialised reagents, rare phenotyped blood sourced from the National Frozen Blood Bank. The means they can rapidly resolve antibody investigations and provide cross-matched blood.

Quality

RCI are committed to service quality, with regulatory expertise backed by years of experience and governed by a single Quality Management System.

We are regulated by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and participates in UK NEQAS (or EQAS) exercises.

We follow Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), relevant British Society for Haematology (BSH) Guidelines, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist (RCOG) Green-top Guidelines, ISO standards, Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR), Data Protection and Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts.