Program Overview

BMS324 Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion

This subject considers the theoretical and practical aspects of blood group serology and blood banking practice, with a comprehensive laboratory component focused on different areas of immunohaematology including pre-transfusion testing, investigation of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN), and investigation of transfusion reactions. Distance students will complete the required practical component of the subject at a 3-day residential school.

Subject Outlines

Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

• Offering has a residential school.
• Session 2 (60)
  • On Campus: Wagga Wagga Campus
  • Online: Wagga Wagga Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

• HD/FL

Duration

• One session

School

• School of Biomedical Sciences

Prerequisites

• BMS216

Incompatible Subjects

• BMS318, BMS336, BMS341, BMS441

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to explain the principles used for detection and identification of blood group antigens and antibodies and apply them to problem-solving activities including but not limited to case studies
• be able to explain safe transfusion requirements, transfusion-transmitted diseases, transfusion reactions, autoimmune haemolytic anaemias; haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, and foeto-maternal allo-immune thrombocytopenia
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the organisation of blood collection centres and blood banks in regard to donor selection, blood collection, and the processing, storage and preservation of blood products
• be able to describe features of blood products including but not limited to their preparation methods, storage, quality control and indications for use
• be able to conduct pre-transfusion testing
• be able to conduct tests used for investigation of transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn
• be able to demonstrate high levels of academic communication and team working skills

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Basic genetics and immunology required for Immunohaematology
• Reagents and methods used in immunohaematology
• Erythrocyte blood groups
• Red cell antigen and antibody detection and identification
• Blood and blood products
• Blood donor selection, testing of donated blood and component preparation
• Daily operation of a blood bank
• Indications for blood transfusion, compatibility testing, complications of transfusion and transfusion alternatives
• Clinical considerations in immunohaematology including but not limited to haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, foeto-maternal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemias
• Quality control, quality assurance, and regulations in relation to blood banking

Residential School

This subject contains a 3-day Compulsory Residential School. Students will complete a competency examination, as a hurdle assessment, at the residential school which is evaluated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Students need to obtain a satisfactory grade to be able to pass the subject.