CLS 491 Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine

This course includes the introduction of the theory, practical application, technical performance, and evaluation of blood bank procedures required for safe transfusion of blood and blood components. The students will be trained to perform patient specimen processing and pre-transfusion testing including blood ABO and Rh typing, antibody screening, and antibody identification.
Students will learn to select compatible blood types for each blood component and perform necessary pre-transfusion compatibility testing for red blood cell transfusion.
This course will include proper blood component processing, storage, and modifications of components such as thawing plasma or washing red blood cell units. Transfusion therapy practices, blood group system biochemistry, genetics, and serology are stressed. Also emphasized are various quality assurance processes including daily quality control, reagent quality control and error reporting, and the investigation of suspected transfusion reactions. A case study presentation will lead the student through problem-solving of incompatible reactions and situations they will likely encounter in a blood bank. Advanced techniques and current developments in stem cell transplant and cord blood banking will also be discussed such as HLA matching techniques and hemopoietic stem cell collection techniques.