Red cell, white cell and platelet immunohaematology

Details

Title

Red cell, white cell and platelet immunohaematology

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS169

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of red cell, white cell and platelet immunohaematology, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform, adapt and master 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

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:

• development and co-operative nature of the immune system, the basis and application of immunological techniques in transfusion medicine and basis of immune-mediated transfusion reactions
• inheritance patterns of blood groups (red cells, white cells and platelets) and their biochemical basis
• techniques for antigen typing, antibody detection, identification and assessment of clinical relevance
• donation testing
• pre-transfusion testing
  • sampling procedures and documentation
  • blood grouping requirements
  • antibody screening techniques
  • compatibility testing
  • electronic issue
  • provision of red cells for allo-immunised recipients
• investigation of complex incompatibilities and transfusion support in:
  • multiple red cell alloantibodies
  • HTLAs
  • antibodies against high and low frequency red cells antigens
• diagnosis and investigation of immune mediated haemolysis
  • haemolytic transfusion reactions
  • autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA)
• techniques for HLA typing and antibody detection
• methods for final selection of donors for haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation
• investigation of immunological refractoriness to platelet transfusions:
  • provision of an HLA typed panel and selection of HLA compatible platelets
  • selection of crossmatch-compatible platelets
• principles of investigation of TA-GvH and TRALI
• platelet and granulocyte antigen and antibody typing procedures and the investigation of conditions caused by allo-immunisation to platelet and granulocyte antigens (NAITP, PTP, etc).

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, adaptation and mastery of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:

• have theoretical knowledge needed to practise this aspect of transfusion
• be competent to undertake red cell antigen and antibody typing
• understand requirements for large scale testing
• advise on the approaches to and assays for patient pre transfusion testing
• undertake investigation of complex cases
• investigate the causes of transfusion reactions
• be competent to undertake HLA antigen/genetic and antibody typing
• advise on selection of donations for transplantation
• be capable of investigating causes of platelet refractoriness and advise on patient management
• undertake assays/diagnostics for causes of GvH and TRALI
• be competent to undertake antigen/genetic and antibody typing and investigate potential causes of immune thrombocytopenia and granulocyte disorders.