Transfusion Therapy: Administration of Red cells in the Antenatal and Neonatal Periods

Details

Title

Transfusion Therapy: Administration of Red cells in the Antenatal and Neonatal Periods

Type

Stage One

Module code

HLS055

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period with respect to the administration of red cells during the antenatal and neonatal periods, the trainee will be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, critically evaluate and apply
• perform a range of technical procedures and demonstrate a range of clinical
• 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, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to:

• BCSH guidelines relevant to transfusion therapy in the foetus, neonate and young
• selection of units and special requirements for:
  • Intrauterine transfusion
  • Exchange transfusion of neonates
  • Top-up transfusion
  • Transfusion of neonates and older children
• the role of maternal antibodies in HDFN, and in the choice of units for transfusion
• the particular requirements of red cell units for transfusion to neonates and infants [irradiation, CMV status] and use of paedipacks to reduce donor exposure
• the transfusion of premature infants
• paediatric transfusion issues: intensive transfusion, long term survival, acute side effects
• T activation and its management

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 a range of technical procedures and laboratory skills and will be able to:

• identify, assess and critically appraise relevant clinical and laboratory factors in order to select red cell units for patients with different clinical conditions including:
  • intrauterine, exchange and top up transfusions
  • premature infants
• develop, implement and evaluate processes to ensure accurate sample identification
• develop, implement and evaluate policies and processes to manage information governance issues that may arise from the investigation of antenatal and neonatal cases

By the end of the training period with respect to the administration of red cells in the antenatal and neonatal periods, trainees will be able to:

• advise clinical colleagues on the laboratory investigation of maternal, neonatal and infant samples and the interpretation of results to inform the selection of units suitable for transfusion
• advise on the particular requirements of red cell units for prenatal, perinatal and neonatal transfusion including criteria such as CMV status, PCV, blood group and antigen profile
• advise on the selection of phenotyped units for transfusion in cases of Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN)