By virtue of Department Order No. 393-E series of 2000, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was designated as the National Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing of blood donors and units. Under Memorandum Circular No. 126, the Transfusion Transmissible Infections – National Reference Laboratory (TTI-NRL) is mandated to perform confirmatory testing of blood donors and units screened reactive for Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1&2, Syphilis and Malaria among blood banks and blood service facilities nationwide. It also provides quality assurance and identify areas for improvement on:

a. Technical Procedures (specificity validation and monitoring of accuracy; site visits)
b. Kit Performance (evaluation through monitoring of screening test results)
c. Provide an External Quality Assessment Scheme to Blood Service Facilities

TTI-NRL provides recommendations and strategies to ensure the safety of blood supply from transfusion transmissible infections and quality assurance as a whole. It trains Medical Technologists of blood banks and/or blood service facilities on testing transfusion transmissible infections and conducts researches to provide data and improve the quality of testing among blood service facilities.

VISION

To be the center of excellence in performing quality procedures, trainings, and researches for the elimination of risks associated with transfusion transmissible infections.

MISSION

The TTI-NRL ensures the safety of the national blood supply through confirmation of reactive blood units, provision of quality assurance and technical trainings, evaluation of test kit performance and the conduct of researches for the standardization of blood screening of Blood Service Facilities in the Philippines.

SERVICES

  1. CONFIRMATORY TESTING
    The TTI-NRL delivers a range of testing services for reference testing of screened reactive blood donors to HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and Malaria and these services are offered to all blood screening facilities nationwide. Our testing services involve serological and molecular tests to give the most satisfactory and accurate diagnoses.
    Forms:
  2. TRAINING
    We provide a range of training services as an approach to build and enhance quality in laboratory systems for blood service facilities. Our training programs are designed to promote self-sufficiency and sustainability that will aid in the development of technical and analytical skills of the participant and also to promote best practices in laboratory testing. We deliver specialized training in HIV and other TTI Proficiency Testing and Biosafety Practices for medical technologists in blood service facilities.

    2023 HIV and other TTI Proficiency Testing Training Workshop Schedule

    All dates are subject to change and a prior notice will be provided to pre-registered participants.

    Full Course (Hybrid Format)
    a. 24 to 28 April
    b. 19 to 23 June
    c. 14 to 18 August
    d. 09 to 13 October

    Refresher Course (Self-Paced Learning)
    a. 21 April
    b. 6 October

    For more information on the details and registration, please visit RITMlearn (Learning, Education, and Resources Network).

    You may also download the training invitation here.

  3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
    To achieve the highest level of accuracy and reliability, it is essential that best practices are observed in the laboratory through the following activities:


    External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS)
    The TTI Serology EQAS generates valuable information on the types and brands of assays used in the country. This can provide a better overview of blood service facilities carrying out serological tests of transfusion transmissible infections as well as their activities. With this, we can monitor the performance of laboratories and identify those which require training to improve their performance. Participating laboratory can learn from the results and can be reassured that their performance is up to standard or they will be made aware to correct problems that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Strategies and recommendation are provided to strengthen the performance of each participating laboratory.

    For more information on the 2023 schedule, please visit the RITM Laboratory Quality Assurance page.

    Site Inspections
    With the EQAS results, monitoring of blood banks/blood service facilities are made to assess the quality, accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing results and the extent and nature of laboratory-related problems and errors. This covers every step in the procedure, from sample receipt through the final interpretation of the donor result.

    Provision of Quality Control Samples
    To assure that test runs are valid and reliable, external quality control samples should be used in the performance of each assay. These samples should be treated the same way as donor samples and are used to validate the test run.

  4. RESEARCH
    The interest of the TTI-NRL to perform researches as one of its mandates led the way in forming the Transfusion Transmissible Infections Study Group comprised of different infectious disease specialists of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.


DOWNLOADS

Department of Health Issuances

Republic Acts

Manual of Standards

For inquiries, please contact us through the following:

Direct Line: +63 2 8808 2552
Trunkline: +63 2 8807 2628 local 229
Mobile: +63 998 459 5982 (Smart) | +63 916 639 3402 (Globe)
Email: tti@ritm.gov.ph
Facebook: facebook.com/tti.nrl
Viber: TTI-NRL PH Viber Community