Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MLS3001

 
TITLE Transfusion Medicine

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Applied Biomedical Science

 
DESCRIPTION Objectives:

This study-unit provides the student with the necessary theoretical knowledge underlying the basic clinical concepts and analytical procedures in the area of Transfusion Medicine. Knowledge on Antigen-Antibody reactions and the Complement system are a prerequisite for this module.

Content - Part I:

Subject Overview and Introduction to Blood Transfusion
General Immunohaematology
Basic Red Cells Serology Techniques
The ABO blood Group System
The Rh Blood Group System
Major Blood Group Systems
ABO and Rh Typing
Blood Donation
Preparation of Blood Components
Monitoring the Quality of Blood Components
Transfusion Transmitted Infections
Testing For Transfusion Transmitted Infections.

Content (Part II):

Antibody Screening and Identification
Antibody Identification case studies
The Anti-Human Globulin Test
Investigation of a Positive Direct Antiglobulin Test
Red Cell acid elution technique
Pre-Transfusion testing and the selection of blood products
Haemovigilance and Traceability
Investigation of Transfusion Reactions
Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborns
Laboratory Tesing during pregnancy and after delivery
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemias
Techniques for the laboratory investigations of AIHA
Adsorption techniques
Optimal use of blood components.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the study-unit the student should be able to:
• Discuss the selection, component preparation and testing of donor blood;
• Discuss in detail aspects of the ABO, Rh, and other major blood group systems;
• Describe pre‐transfusion testing and outline the different tests and techniques used to ensure compatible blood is available for the patient;
• Review the blood group serology tests used in pretransfusion testing and antenatal testing; and
• Discuss optimal use of blood components.

Reading List:

• Geoff Daniels, Imelda Bromilow. Essential Guide to Blood Group, 3rd ed. October 2013, Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-1-118-68892-2
• Harmening DM. Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices, 7th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 2018. ISBN-13: 978-0803668881
• Knight R. Fundamentals of Biomedical Science Blood Transfusion and Transplantation, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press 2018. ISBN: 9780198735731
• Klein, Harvey G. Anstee, David J.; Mollison P.L. Mollison's blood transfusion in clinical medicine. - 12th rev. ed. Blackwell Publishing 2014. ISBN: 978-1-405-19940-7
• Overfield J, Dawson M, Hamer D. Transfusion Science (Biomedical Science Explained Series), 2nd Edition. 2008, Scion Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-904842-40-8
• Screening donated blood for transfusion-transmissible infections: recommendations. World Health Organization 2010. ISBN 978 92 4 154788 8.

Web Resources

• British Committee for Standards in Haematology. GUIDELINE FOR BLOOD GROUPING AND RED CELL ANTIBODY TESTING IN PREGNANCY. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/tme.12299
• British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Guidelines for pre-transfusion compatibility procedures in blood transfusion laboratories. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3148.2012.01199.x/pdf
• Serious Hazards of Transfusion website. Available at: http://www.shotuk.org/
• Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee. Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK 8th Edition. Available at: www.transfusionguidelines.org.uk/red-book
• National Blood Transfusion Service website. Available at: https://healthservices.gov.mt/en/nbts/Pages/home.aspx
• Medicines authority website. Available at: http://medicinesauthority.gov.mt/blood
• Council of Europe website. Available at: http://www.coe.int/web/portal/home

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

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

 
LECTURER/S Monique Angele Abela
Jesmond Debono
Antonella Giordmaina
Stefan Laspina
Vanessa Zammit

 

 
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.

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