Blood Group Systems

Details

Title

Blood Group Systems

Type

Stage One

Module code

HLS050

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period the trainee will, in respect of clinical and laboratory transfusion, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform a range of clinical skills
• 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

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 basis of inheritance
• the range of blood group antigens expressed on red cells including:
  • Major and minor blood groups and their clinical significance, prevalence and racial variation
  • The inheritance, biosynthesis, structure, function and expression of red cell blood group antigens, in particular the ABO, Rh and Kell systems
• the structure and function of the normal red cell membrane
• ISBT nomenclature of red cell genes and antigens
• the structure, function, expression and clinical significance of antigens expressed on platelets, neutrophils and other cells and tissues including:
  • HLA
  • HPA
  • HNA
• the principles underpinning diagnostic assays relevant to pre-transfusion testing and the investigation of adverse reactions to transfusion therapy
• the testing algorithms deployed for compatibility testing and cross-matching

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period with respect clinical and laboratory transfusion trainees will be able to perform the clinical skills necessary to manage:

• pre-transfusion testing and the diagnosis of a range of disorders typically referred to a transfusion laboratory for investigation
• critically appraise the likely clinical significance of blood group antigens and antibodies in the context of their structure, function and expression and provide advice to colleagues and the multi-disciplinary team
• identify and discuss the clinical significance of anti-HLA, anti-HPA and anti-HNA antibodies in a range of clinical settings