91129 Transfusion Science
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2023 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91401 Immunology OR 91563 Haematology
Description
Transfusion Science is about human blood group systems, the antigens that each of us possess on our red blood cells that make each of our blood cells different to that of another person. Because of these differences, our bodies can determine another person’s cells as foreign (non-self).
This subject explores how the body responds, the tests to detect and identify of plasma antibodies, principles of donor blood compatibility and antigen/antibody reactions, the use of blood products in testing, the safety of the blood supply and minimisation of transmission of infectious diseases, investigation of transfusion reactions, haemolytic disease of the newborn, platelet and leucocyte immuno-haematology, transfusion in critical care situations, legal aspects of transfusion and use of blood products, stem cell transplantation, and cytokine stimulation of hemopoiesis.
This subject teaches the essential principles and practices of transfusion scientists who work in the clinical and research areas of transfusion science. As such, the workshop and practical aspects of the subject are designed to teach the basic tools and methods required to identify antibodies; to determine the safe use of blood for transfusion, identify risks of mother-foetus incompatibility and the source of transfusion reactions. To create the foundation for understanding these concepts, the subject has the theory content presented in modules where the information presented using multiple formats, these include video mini-lectures, presentations, recordings, readings, gamified learning and opportunities for reflection with your cohort.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the requirements for the safe transfusion of blood and blood products |
|---|---|
| 2. | Explain the Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT) definitions of blood group systems, blood group antigens and the antibodies that define them |
| 3. | Identify and demonstrate how areas of quality assurance programs, regulation of therapeutic goods and the Human Tissue Act are used in the context of transfusion science |
| 4. | Perform and interpret the techniques of laboratory blood grouping, crossmatching, antibody screening and antibody identification |
| 5. | Explain the principles of transfusion and transplantation |
| 6. | Evaluate and consolidate information relating to transfusion science using data bases, regulatory websites, text books and scientific articles to report their findings to their cohort using written and oral communication styles |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply: Use contemporary technologies for the collection and analysis of data and apply evidence-based practice at all levels of laboratory investigation. (1.1)
- Synthesise: Adapt disciplinary skills and techniques to other disciplines and other areas of study, in particular, the specialisations of cellular pathology, microbiology, and host responses or biochemistry and molecular diagnostics. (1.3)
- Apply: Employ robust scientific method in the investigation of disease and undertake laboratory work based on world best practice. (2.1)
- Analyse: Be guided by the current literature to critically appraise published information and recognize gaps of knowledge in the field. (2.2)
- Synthesise: Critically discriminate facts to synthesise significant findings from a range of data types. (2.3)
- Apply: Demonstrate familiarity in established techniques, while also having an awareness of new technologies and modern instrumentation, considering the appropriate quality control measures at all stages of the diagnostic process. (3.1)
- Analyse: Engage in work practices that demonstrate an understanding of health and safety requirements, good ethical conduct, risk management, organisation skills, record keeping and the regulatory framework of specific laboratory, especially in relation to specialised discipline areas. (3.2)
- Analyse: Demonstrate creative and lateral thinking within a structured discipline by extending the principles of biomedical science to a broader context. (4.2)
- Apply: Use a variety of tools, such as written reports, oral and visual presentations, graphical or statistical analysis in both lay and professional settings. (5.1)
- Analyse: Recognize the audience and be able to communicate with a diversity of audiences by accurately using plain, professional, and where necessary, specialist language in the communication of ideas. (5.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
From the theoretical material you will be provided with: detailed explanations of the ANZ- and I-SBT definitions of blood groups; the risks of transfusion and potential errors; fundamental information about other types of transfusions; be introduced to the various accreditation bodies, guidelines and processes; and the foundations of performing the techniques required to determine blood types.
The practical component of the course will then provide the opportunity to practice the practical skills of blood testing used in clinical and research laboratories.
The workshop materials are for you to consolidate the information learnt in lectures and apply that knowledge in determining the blood groups of donor and recipient blood as you would in a clinical setting as well as by using case studies.
Combined, this knowledge will enable you to formulate rational judgements about whether there is a risk of transfusion reaction. In your assessments and some compulsory group work, you will be able to test your knowledge and apply it in a group setting as part of collaborative learning using MS Teams and OneNote/Class Notebook.
You will get the opportunity to peer-review your colleagues as part of developing your team-based communication skills.
2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking
You will be required to search organisational websites of government accrediting bodies as well as scientific literature and corporate websites to discover what is required in the approval process of a blood product. By collecting and collating that information you will then be able to communicate that information back to your peers.
3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility
You will develop personal organisation skills, teamwork skills, laboratory skills, blood testing and handling skills. You can obtain these skills through the practical, workshop and assessment components of the course.
This subject will use MS Teams, OneNote and Zoom as part of the delivery, these are all used in the organisations of the teachers of this subject who work in hospital laboratories and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
As part of building skills in teamwork, you will have an opportunity to review yourself and your team in SPARK Plus.
As blood transfusion is a high-risk medical procedure it relies on the highest level of accuracy by transfusion scientists. You will develop an understanding and be able to explain: the need for blood and blood products; blood transfusion and human tissue regulations; and the importance of blood transfusion practices to enable you to be a transfusion scientist.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
From the theortetical material, you will need to pull together the appropriate testing protocols to determine the cause of transfusion reactions, determine the risks of legislative action for a blood testing product, create a plan to test a patient sample and find an appropriate blood product that makes the best treatment for the patient.
5. Communication
These skills are practiced and expanded through multiple aspects of the course including practical classes, online collaboration and for assessments. You will work in small groups (3-4) in online workshops to complete learning activities as well as to complete an infographic that consolidates the findings of your research of a blood product and the legislation surrounding its use. Individually, you will then provide feedback to your team members on how they can better contribute in the “workplace” and provide feedback on other team's infographic projects in your cohort.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered via 1-2 hours per week of online self-directed lectures, eleven 2-hour face-to-face workshops, and five 3-hour practical classes.
Transfusion Science is delivered in a modular style. The theory of the subject is completely online this enables students to review as they need. The use of video recordings, audio recordings, short presentations, self-directed learning activities, games and recommended readings have been blended to present the theory of the modules of the subject: Pre-requisite Knowledge, Laboratory Safety, Blood Group Systems, Column Agglutination, Testing in Transfusion Science, Specialised Areas and Legislation. This content requires 1.5-2 hours to complete each week.
There are five modules, module 1-4 have online mini-tests to ensure you understand the content before moving to the next module and the legislation module is assessed in the assessment on diagnostic product.
The first four modules build on each other, but the legislation topic can be attempted at any point, to enable plenty of time to understand the topic and consolidate that knowledge with the researched information for the final assessment.
Workshop material is a combination of self-directed preparatory activities as well as the weekly 2 hour workshops. During these activities problem-based activities and case studies help to test your understanding of the theory. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and work with the teachers to improve your understanding. While attendance is not compulsory, studies have shown and our own results also indicate that participation at face-to-face classes lead to better results for students. For this reason we recommend attending and participating to the best of ability.
The practical component will be conducted in the last 5 weeks as 3-hour practical sessions. To help you prepare for the labs, the challenging parts are quizzed in the pre-lab material. The aim of this design is for you to see the protocol performed and understand why and how this test is done before you perform the skill in the laboratory yourself. That pre-lab material will also test your interpretive skills for that test/set of tests.
Summary of the course
The early weeks, the content focuses on foundational blood grouping information, the clinically significant blood group systems and the techniques that help you identify whether a transfusion reaction is safe.
We then look at the tests of transfusion science. The individual test protocols will be taught initially from a theoretical perspective, so you understand the relevance and use in the clinical setting. In the practical classes the main protocols used in blood banking are introduced: Blood Group, Antibody Screen and Antibody Identification, Crossmatching, Phenotyping and Antibody Investigation.
The practical exam has been replaced by a skills passport. This is a facilitated test where you demonstrate skills that are essential to working in blood banking. You will be allowed to show and describe the skill first and then the demonstrator will help fill any knowledge gap/s and then you will be able to reattempt the skill or protocol.
The modules covered toward the end of the semester are Specialised Areas of Transfusion and Legislation of Blood Supply. The topics cover specialized transfusions, such as minor blood components, acute care and neonates. To help familiarise you with the legislation and synergy required for blood supply, self-directed activities as well as recordings on National Blood Authority, Central Blood Supply, NATA, TGA and Patient Blood Management.
One of the highly regarded skills in any professional setting is being able to present information in various ways. The final assessment for this subject is for your group to create an infographic to apply and synthesise the knowledge from modules Tests of Transfusion Science and Legislation and Blood Supply to the production and supply of a commercially prepared blood testing product.
You will also need to provide a brief essay (no more than 500 words) summarising the critical points about legislation and a succinct reflection of your own learning during this assignment, this may include how you work in a team, skills to make infographics or consolidating information.
Strategies to help you learn
To facilitate your learning, there are learning tools and activities to keep you engaged and constantly revising your progress throughout each module. The activities have been created to give immediate feedback enabling learning, from correct and incorrect, answers immediately. The Read-Watch-Do style allows you to check your understanding as you progress. We invite you to work in pairs or small groups as this will help you investigate and interrogate the new knowledge while building teamwork and communication skills.
MS Teams will be set up in Week 2-3, for people to collaborate in small teams to complete the workshop activities.
The four mini-tests will be opened for short periods of time only. These tests are open-book but must be completely individually.
Many graduates from this subject can be hired directly into hospital transfusion laboratories or blood banks, where they make critical decisions about blood products to be given to patients. These are mostly lifesaving, but a wrong decision is potentially life threatening, and for that reason we will treat you as a transfusion scientist from Week 1.
Content (topics)
Upon completion of the lecture and practical material you will have knowledge of:
1. ANZBT definitions of blood group systems
2. How to utilize, report and interpret the results of antibody tests
3. Using column agglutination for the test protocols of transfusion science
4. Types of transfusions and transplants
5. Transfusion reactions, their risks, severity and investigation
6. The organizations and regulations that govern blood transfusion medicine
7. When transfusions or blood compatibility may be important
Possible tour of Lifeblood, depending on Covid-19 risk.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Application of Theory
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: Disciplinary Knowledge Research, inquiry and critical thinking Professional, ethical and social responsibility Reflection, Innovation and Creativity Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Criteria: | This set of mini-tests assesses the theoretical components of the subject. There are four mini-tests on the following topics. Combined they are worth 50% of the assessment weighting. Topic - Weighting % - Week Due Blood Group Systems - 10% - week 6 |
Assessment task 2: Practical Skills Passport
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: Disciplinary Knowledge Research, inquiry and critical thinking Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: | The role of laboratory scientists requires graduates to have a specific set of skills when commencing work. The Skills Passport provides students with a list of competency based skills they can show their potential employers. To obtain the passport, you will shown the skills expected of a transfusion scientists, then given some opportunities to practice the skill/s before demonstrating the skill to a teacher. The teacher will either sign off on the skill/s or give feedback to help you improve your technique before reattempting the demonstration of the skill. You will have a couple of opportunities during the practical sessions to complete the tasks. Students will be individually assessed on techniques such as:
|
Assessment task 3: Legislation and Efficacy Testing of Blood Products
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: Disciplinary Knowledge Research, inquiry and critical thinking Professional, ethical and social responsibility Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 1. Prepare and submit a professional infographic produced as a group. 2. Answer questions about the product and legislation that will include a reflection on what you learned about the challenges of making infographics |
| Criteria: | Working in 3-4 person teams, you will research a blood product commonly used in blood transfusion testing. You will investigate: - its source (what plant/animal species/cell-line/of a man-made process), - the specific role of the product in transfusion science, - storage information - the accreditation/legislative requirements – which bodies and what is the specific legislation This information needs to be assembled into a professional infographic. In addition to the infographic, submit a brief essay summarising the product, its use and role in testing supplying references to support your points plus a series of questions about legislation and a reflection about what you have learnt about presenting information in the infographic style. The infographic will be submitted for peer and academic marking. The answers to questions and reflection will be submitted for academic review. This assessment task has been designed for you to learn about the accreditation process and regulatory bodies involved for a blood product to be made as a commercial product. Secondarily, it is for you to expand your knowledge on presenting information in different formats. The infographic and individual legislation answers and reflection will be graded based on: 1. Information contained being accurate, and clear communication of information conveyed 2. Comprehensive research of the product evidenced through use of the relevant scientific literature 3. Creative and accurate presentation of scientific information 4. Accuracy of understanding the role of legisation in blood product testing production 5. Open self-disclosure about learning to present in this format Further information: Note: All submitted material making use of published materials, should be properly referenced and with a properly completed bibliography using the APA format and lack any plagiarism. Working in 3-4 person teams, you will research a product used in blood testing protocols. You will investigate its source (what process, animal or plant it is derived from, what the product is used for, its risks, storage information and identify what accreditation is required from governing bodies. This information needs to be consolidated into an infographic acompanied by some direct answers to questions summarising the product and legislation, giving references to support your message and a reflecting about what you have learnt about constructing and presenting using infographics. The infographic presentation will be submitted for peer and academic marking. The other answers and reflection will be submitted for academic review. This assessment task has been designed for you to learn about the accreditation process and regulatory bodies involved for a blood product to be made as a commercial product. Secondarily, it is for you to expand your knowledge on presenting informion using infographics indicating that the most important information is communicated. |
Minimum requirements
You are expected to:
1. complete all theoretical pages and the associated mini-tests in the time required
2. Attendance is not compulsory but published evidence as well as previous student results in this subject indicate that attendance and participation in the weekly workshops and the practical sessions ultimately result in a thorough understanding of the subject and therefore a good mark
3. provide evidence of attendance to meetings or communication, ie. your contribution, to the group assignment for Assessment 3.
You must obtain an overall mark of 50 or greater to pass the subject.
Recommended texts
Harmening, D (6th edn) (2012) Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices. FA Davis
Or
Overfield, Dawson and Hamer (2nd edn) (2008) Transfusion Science. Scion
References
Others as listed in Transfusion Science Subject site on Canvas.