Transfusion medicine

Details

Title

Transfusion medicine

Type

Stage One

Module code

HLS034

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of Transfusion Medicine, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures
• demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level.

Knowledge and understanding

1. Health and safety legislation and guidance
2. ACDP categorisation of biological agents
3. Laboratory safety and containment
4. Transport regulations

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to the:

• UK Blood Quality and Safety Regulations 2005
• indications, administration and use of blood components
• principles of donor recruitment, component processing and donation testing
• transfusion support for;
  • haemoglobinopathies
  • stem cell transplantation (marrow, PBMC and cord blood)
  • acute massive blood loss.
  • fetal/neonatal allo-immune cytopenias
  • auto-immune haemolytic anaemia
  • premature neonates
  • elective surgery in children and adults
  • solid organ transplantation.
• prevention of haemolytic disease of the newborn.
• hospital blood bank practice and the provision of a routine hospital immuno-haematology service
• blood stock management system and its functioning
• clinical liaison in transfusion medicine; transfusion policies and ward procedures, including strategies to prevent ‘wrong blood to patient’ episodes
• management of untoward effects of transfusion (including transfusion transmitted infection TGvH, TRALI, etc.)
• principles of systematic reviews, evidence-based medicine and randomised controlled clinical trials
• role and workings of hospital transfusion committees and transfusion practitioners
• sources of training and guidelines applicable in hospitals for transfusion; undertake web based training to BBT levels 1 and 2.
• need for training and the problems of communicating transfusion practices in a hospital environment
• need for MSBOS and correct patient identification
• participation in at least one transfusion audit or review or training session for hospital staff
• alternative therapies available for transfusion including autologous transfusion and other means of reducing allogeneic exposure and the special needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:

• have a sound understanding of the regulatory basis for transfusion practice
• know requirements for blood banking
• know the procedures and requirements for preparation of acceptable blood components
• have sound laboratory skills in blood banking practice
• practice communication of appropriate information to clinical team
• know what to do when the unforeseen occurs
• have knowledge of approaches to and sources of evidence based practice
• understand powers and mechanisms of transfusion governance
• practice communication skills at ward level
• have familiarity with guidelines and sources for these
• demonstrate education and communication skills in transfusion practice
• have practical experience of this and its import
• know of alternatives to conventional therapy and advise on these.

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of transfusion medicine to perform the clinical skills necessary to manage under supervision to

• the need to match transfusion support to clinical conditions
• the mechanisms and treatments for haemolytic disease of the newborn
• correct transfusion prescribing practice.