Unit Code: CLT501

Unit Name: Transfusion Medicine

Description: Transfusion medicine, also known as blood banking or Immunohaematology, is a branch of medicine that involves the collection, testing, storage, and transfusion of blood and blood products to patients in need. Key aspects of transfusion medicine include blood collection from volunteer donors through blood donation drives or blood banks. The donated blood is screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis to ensure its safety for transfusion. Blood samples are tested to determine the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and Rh factor (positive or negative). Compatibility testing is performed to match the donor\'s blood with the recipient\'s to prevent adverse reactions during transfusion. Transfusion Medicine continually evolves through research and development efforts aimed at improving blood product safety, compatibility testing techniques, and the development of alternative blood substitutes. Practical sessions for each topic is described in the practical manual, a companion to the course descriptor. For off-site students, the practicals will be conducted through video recording and the bench supervisor will sign off the practical in the logbook with competency.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the developments in the field of blood banking and related antigen: antibody reactions to transfusion medicine. 2. Describe the ABO, Rh, and other blood group systems. 3. Explain antiglobulin testing. 4. Perform compatibility testing and identify hazards of transfusions. 5. Describe blood donor services. 6. Outline quality assurance program and ethical considerations in transfusion medicine.

Prerequisite: Minimum Entry Requirement (MER).

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 1