Unit 2 - Immunohaematology

Indicative Content

In this unit you will learn 

• Antibody screening, identification, crossmatching and red blood cell selection (including special requirements) in pre-transfusion testing
  
• Red cell antibody monitoring and blood provision in haemolytic disease of the fetus/ newborn; BCSH guidelines for blood grouping in pregnancy and antibody testing in pregnancy
  
• Blood group serological reactions in Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia 
  
• Blood group serological reactions in a suspected transfusion reaction
  
• BCSH guidelines on the administration of blood components
  
• BCSH guidelines for the estimation of Fetomaternal Haemorrhage
  
• BCSH guidelines for the use of fresh-frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant
  
• BCSH guidelines for the use of irradiated blood components
  
• BCSH guidelines for neonates and older children
  
• BCSH guidelines for the specification and use of information technology (IT) systems in blood transfusion practice
  

Learning Outcomes

You will be expected to:

1. Outline and analyse variants associated with the ABO and Rh blood group systems. Determine and describe the implications for patients
   
2. Determine, explain, formulate and interpret the investigation of complex serological reactions, including recommendations for resolving unexpected anomalies, in patient testing.
   
3. Determine, describe and explain the design, operation and performance of serological techniques used in the investigation and management of haemolytic disease of the fetus/ newborn. Categorise and recommend management strategies for a range of blood group antibodies.
   
4. Determine and explain the serological problems associated with autoantibodies with respect to blood transfusion
   
5. Determine and describe the design, operation and performance of serological techniques used in the investigation and management of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Categorise and recommend management strategies for blood provision for patients with cold and warm autoantibodies.
   
6. Determine, explain and interpret the investigation of a suspected transfusion reaction. Discuss the possible causes.
   
7. Explain and categorise the principles and practice of, and determine between, serological and electronic issue of blood components
   
8. Discuss and categorise the principles and mechanisms of, and recommend, blood component selection for a range of patients (including fetus/ neonate, haematological, BMT, HSCT, rare blood groups, pregnant women, immunocompromised, children, transfusion-dependent)

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Unit 3 - Donation Testing and Components Processing