Competency information
Details
Apply sample acceptance criteria for samples for pre-transfusion testing.
Perform routine transfusion tests, including:
- indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) and ‘immediate spin’ cross- match
- ABO and RhD typing
- antibody screening
- simple antibody identification by IAT and enzyme (single specificity)
- Rh and K red cell phenotyping.
Considerations
- Basics of blood group systems – genes, antigens and antibodies.
- The range of manual and automated routine serological tests, their underlying principles and appropriate use in pre-transfusion testing.
- Clinical significance of red cell antibodies.
- Antibody-mediated intra- and extravascular red cell destruction and the role of complement.
- Selection of controls for serological testing, recognising control failures and further actions required.
- The limitations of the testing repertoire available in-house and options for referral.
- Principles of, and current guidelines relating to, pre-transfusion testing.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 | Outcome Perform blood group serology in the context of pre-transfusion testing. |
| # 5 | Outcome Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw conclusions about assay performance. |
| # 6 | Outcome Use laboratory IT systems for handling, processing and storage of patient data. |