Frequently Asked Questions

 RC-Aid streamlines your antibody identification in a number of ways. You can generate a specialized panel of cells in a fraction of the time it would take to manually choose cells from manufacturer antigrams. Easier selection of the best cells to test means fewer cells to run for ruling out additional antibodies. All manufacturers’ products are in the same format. 

Because all of your selected cells are on one worksheet, evaluation and review is simplified, saving time and effort. Leverage color-coded analysis of the homozygous rule-outs, as well as rule-ins and counts of the homozygous and heterozygous rule-outs. In-process ePanels can be passed to another tech for review or consulting.

Any user can view an ePanel, but only the creating user can add to or modify it. Viewers can add real-time comments from off site locations for users who need assistance or verification.   Printouts include rule out markings and all time stamped comments. Your lab's antibody identifications (completed and in-process) are available for viewing from any PC. 

In addition to the advantages for hospital labs, RC-Aid helps reference labs both select cells for testing and manage their frozen media. A free style antigen table provides nearly unlimited possibilities for searching for the best cells for testing, quickly and easily. Powerful report generating allows for easy inventory documentation and listing of cells for reordering.

RC-Aid supports all panels for the following suppliers: Biotest, Werfen/Immucor, Medion/Grifols, Quidel/Ortho, and Alba/Quotient.  The panels remain in the master file for six (6) months. The panels include all special antigens provided by each supplier. If you would like support for an additional supplier or a desired panel is missing, contact us with your request. In addition, you can manually enter panels and cells. 

Yes, RC-Aid provides the ability to manage an infinite number of special antigens as well as ABO. In fact, when you copy an antigen profile from the RC-Aid master file it includes the special antigens provided by that manufacturer. Additionally, reference labs can define rare cell typings which are specific to the lab's site. 

 RC-Aid provides 3 types of analysis.

• Preanalytical: After selecting cells for testing, select Pretesting Analysis for counts of homozygous and heterozygous rule-outs before testing. Denote previously identified or suspected antibody(ies) to eliminate those cells from the analysis.
• Postanalytical: Use ePanel for analysis of rule-outs and rule-ins based on testing results.  As each phase reaction is entered, a color-coded breakdown is triggered to show 1) antigens with two or more homozygous ruleouts, 2) antigens with one homozygous rule-out and 3) antigens with NO homozygous rule-outs. In addition, cells reacting with positive expressions are highlighted to demonstrate antigens following the reaction pattern or needing additional rule-outs. The homozygous and heterozygous rule-out counts are also displayed. Analysis is done on up to eight phases, with the option to select phases to be included.
• Manual: Automatic rule-out and rule-in analysis can be turned off, allowing manual “ / “ and “ X “ designations.

RC-Aid ePanels are saved and accessed from the ePanel Status List.  The testing user can open, edit and add cells to a test run in progress. RC-Aid supports eight (8) test phases. After a test run is closed, no additions or edits are allowed, unless it is reopened by an authorized reviewer. Any user can view a test run, whether in progress or closed, but only authorized reviewers can edit ruleout designations and add review comments.

 RC-Aid was designed by our founder Bonnie, based on a model she created in 2001 as a Transfusion Service MT at a 12-site hospital system. It has been on the market for more than ten years. RC-Aid is the only application of its type designed by a medical technologist with the bench technician and your lab's business needs in mind, along with features that make it an invaluable resource for reference labs, transfusion services and rapid response labs. 

 We provide three validation documents:

• A validation plan to check off the features you want to implement, which can be submitted for approval
• Once your plan is approved, insert screenshots in our validation document (cross referenced to the validation plan)
• A Validation Training Checklist is supplied to document the training of staff on RC-Aid

We offer three additional documents to help you get RC-Aid up and running quickly: an implementation checklist, a sample procedure manual, and a user manual.

Yes, RC-Aid has 510(k) clearance. RC-Aid leverages Azure servers which are HIPAA-compliant. An audit of all requests to view ePanels is saved for 6 years, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

The RC-Aid database is automatically backed up each night. In addition, we recommend each reference lab with frozen inventory in RC-Aid create a local backup by exporting your inventory under Inventory Reports. Your local backup can also be used in the event you lose internet access.

Because RC-Aid is a database of your red cell inventory, a new subscription is required for each unique inventory. Each subscription supports an unlimited number of users and workstations. Labs in a healthcare system can be bundled to allow access to each other, including ePanel review and passing difficult workups to a higher level facility. 

We offer a tiered pricing structure based on site usage requirements. Sites performing less than ten (10) antibody IDs a week on average qualify for the small site subscription rate, while sites performing ten or more antibody IDs a week would pay the large site annual subscription rate.  Each laboratory location with its own inventory requires a separate subscription. The RC-Aid Frozen Media Management add-on and QC modules have additional annual subscription fees. Contact us for a demo, or to schedule a conversation about your needs and to set up a subscription for your site!

For technical questions, contact us or call 262-844-4274.

For subscription questions, to email purchase orders, or for other support related to your subscription, contact us here.

Checks should be made payable to BBK Technology, and purchase orders should indicate BBK Technology as the vendor. Payments can be sent to:

BBK Technology

1342 E. Dayton St.

Madison, WI 53703

Our tax ID number is 26-3556527.