Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MLS2019

 
TITLE Diagnostic Laboratory Haematology

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 3

 
DEPARTMENT Applied Biomedical Science

 
DESCRIPTION This is a structured lecture-based study-unit, which dovetails with MLS2018. Once the student has grasped a thorough understanding of the various blood disorders, this module aims to focus on the tests and investigations used in the haematology laboratory that help diagnose these various conditions. Lecture emphasis shall concentrate on the application of routine as well as specialised laboratory investigations to aid haematological diagnosis in clinical practice. Students will have up to 3 x 1-hour lecture sessions per week to discuss this study-unit.

Content

The list of topics covered in this lecture series include:
• Principles of laboratory diagnosis in haematology
• Instrumentation in routine haematology
• Laboratory investigation of haematinic-­‐deficiency anaemias
• Laboratory diagnosis of red cell haemolysis
• Assessment of bone marrow function
• Laboratory investigation & diagnosis of leukaemias (acute & chronic) & Myelodysplasias
• Laboratory investigation & diagnosis of malignant lymphomas & paraproteniaemias
• Laboratory investigation of congenital & acquired coagulation disorders
• Laboratory investigation & diagnosis of thrombotic disease.
• Laboratory aspects of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy
• Flow Cytometry: principles and applications in diagnostic haematology
• Cytogenetics & molecular techniques in diagnostic haematology
• Laboratory monitoring of the body’s response to inflammation
• Diagnostic blood parasitology
• Quality assurance & control in the haematology laboratory

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this study-unit, students should be able to:
• Describe the various tests employed in a routine haematology laboratory;
• Discuss the role of haematology tests as an aid to clinical diagnosis & monitoring of disease treatment;
• Identify which laboratory investigations are specific for which haematological disease or group of blood disorders, as diagnostic tools;
• Critically appraise the appropriate choice of laboratory investigations in the diagnosis of haematological disease.

Reading Material:

• Hoffbrand V & Moss Paul AH. Hoffbrand's Essential Haematology, 7th Edition. 2015 Wiley-Blackwell ISBN : 978-1-118-40866-7
• Pallister CJ & Watson M. Haematology, 2nd Revised edition. 2010 Scion Publishing Ltd, Bloxham . ISBN-13: 978-1-904-84239-2
• Swerdlow SJ, Campo E, Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Pieri SA, Stein H, Thiele J, Vardiman JW. WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Revised 4th Edition. 2017, WHO publishers. ISBN 9789283244943 (NLM Classification: WH-15)

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Isabella Borg
Joseph Borg
Patricia Brincat
Alexander Gatt
Kevin Vella

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit