Unit 1 - Transfusion Science Practice
Indicative Content
In this unit, you will learn about:
- Human Immune Response with regard to blood groups and transfusion
- Major blood group systems
- Clinical Significance of blood group antibodies
- Basic overview of haemolytic disease of the fetus/ newborn with respect to red cell antibodies
- Processing, testing and issuing of blood components (including the selection of blood donors)
- Pre-transfusion testing undertaken in UK transfusion laboratories
- Hazards associated with transfusion of blood components and investigative/ preventative measures (including haemovigilance)
- Quality Management Systems (including Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the transfusion laboratory setting)
- British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines for pre-transfusion compatibility procedures in blood transfusion laboratories
- Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK, European Blood Safety Directives, Blood Safety and Quality Regulations
Learning Outcomes
You will be expected to:
- Determine, explain and classify antibody production with respect to blood group systems. Compare and contrast the major blood group antibodies.
- Describe, explain and classify antibody– antigen reactions, the classical complement cascade and antibody-mediated red cell destruction. Examine and categorise causes of intravascular and extravascular red cell destruction.
- Describe, explain and categorise the key features of the ABO, Rh and other major blood group systems (Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS, Lewis, Lutheran and P1PK)
- Describe, explain, demonstrate, interpret and classify automated and manual serological laboratory tests performed in blood transfusion (to include patients and donors).
- Examine and solve anomalous serological results for a range of laboratory tests
- Describe, explain, justify and contrast the similarities and differences between patient-related and blood donor-related serological testing
- Explain, determine and prioritise the principles and practice of Quality Management Systems including quality assurance and quality control in blood transfusion laboratories.
- Determine, explain and predict the hazards associated with various aspects of blood transfusion. Examine the operation of the haemovigilance scheme in the UK
- Describe, categorise and explain donor selection criteria in the UK
- Describe, categorise and explain processing, testing, storage and specification criteria and issuing of routine blood components supplied by the UK blood services
- Describe, explain, categorise and investigate the mechanism of haemolytic disease of the fetus/ newborn. Justify routine antenatal testing requirements
