Unit Outline

This unit covers the major blood group systems of relevance to human blood transfusion and the theoretical basis of common transfusion testing practices. We explore the donation of blood products and the management of transfusion services and study in detail, haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and the adverse effects of blood transfusion. An integrated series of lectures, tutorials and practicals cover these topics, with an emphasis on the development of laboratory skills and problem solving through transfusion-based case studies. The practical sessions concentrate on the essential skills of blood grouping, antibody screening, cross matching and problem solving. This unit is co-taught with a related unit to students in the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, and although you will be provided with similar knowledge and laboratory skills as these students, you will also undertake additional learning activities and assessment. This is necessary for you to develop and demonstrate the higher level investigatory and communication skills to satisfy the Australian Qualification Framework level 9 requirements of a Master’s degree.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Analyse and apply theoretical knowledge of blood group antigens and antibodies, to interpret and evaluate laboratory data.
2.	Explain and demonstrate the practical, interpretive and evaluation skills required in compatibility testing and the investigation of immunohaematology-related adverse events.
3.	Analyse and apply theoretical knowledge of immunohaematology-related adverse events to interpret and evaluate clinical and laboratory data.
4.	Critically evaluate and communicate current and evolving issues, roles and responsibilities in transfusion science as appropriate for a professional environment.
5.	Demonstrate professional skills and behaviours through consistent individual and collaborative performance in scheduled cooperative learning sessions.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA631

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Review of unit content to reduce complexity and workload where possible, while keeping it relevant to industry expectations. Increased tutorial time to allow further explanation and application of unit content.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	In Class Practical Activities	Week 1	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Mid Semester Theory Test	Week 7	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	In Class Practical Test	Week 7	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Group PowerPoint Presentation	Week 13	10 %	LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 5:	Final Practical Examination	Exam Period	0 %	LO2
Assessment Task 6:	Final Theory Examination	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: In Class Practical Activities

Task Description:

In-class practical activities:
Tests completed throughout the semester provide ongoing assessment and feedback in preparation for weekly practical sessions, the in-class practical test and the final theory and practical exams. These tests include:
-Weekly Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) (10% weighting). Ten questions based on the practical activities and underlying theory.
- Week 4 in-class blood grouping skills check (5% weighting)
- Week 10 in-class crossmatching & antibody identification skills check (5% weighting).
Specific instructions will be given closer to the time of each activity.

Task Length:

MCQs 15 minutes each week

Due Date:

Week 1

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Perform ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification	LO2, LO5
2	Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to resolve blood-grouping anomalies and identify any atypical antibodies detected.	LO2
3	Interpret laboratory findings related ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification to report finding.	LO1, LO5
4	Apply theoretical knowledge of immunohaematology-related adverse events to explain and interpret clinical and laboratory data.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Mid Semester Theory Test

Task Description:

Mid Semester Theory Test -
You need to demonstrate and apply knowledge of content presented in the first half of the semester by correctly answering a series of short answer questions and multiple-choice questions.

Task Length:

90 minutes

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification.	LO1
2	Apply knowledge of ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification to explain results	LO1
3	Analyse and interpret case studies to explain clinical features of haematological characteristics and the diagnostic implications.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: In Class Practical Test

Task Description:

In-class practical test:
You need to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills learned and practiced in the first half of the semester by performing a series of immunohaematology tests and interpreting the results.

Task Length:

2 hours 45 minutes - normal practical class time

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Perform ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification.	LO2, LO5
2	Apply theoretical and practical knowledge to resolve blood-grouping anomalies and identify any atypical antibodies detected.	LO2
3	Interpret laboratory findings related ABO and Rh blood groups, blood group antibody screening tests and antibody identification to report finding.	LO1, LO5

Assessment Task 4: Group PowerPoint Presentation

Task Description:

Group PowerPoint Presentation -
Your group will write and present a PowerPoint presentation about a current transfusion topic or evolving issue that your group has previously identified and researched. Your presentation will evaluate the issue in terms of its impact on transfusion science and/or patient blood management practice and patient or donor care. Your group will record your presentation and upload it to your MyMedia library with links to MyLO. You will post questions to other groups and post referenced answers to questions posed to your group on MyLO. Each person must post and answer at least one question. Further instructions and criteria are provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and evaluate current or evolving issues in transfusion science in terms of its impact on transfusion science and/or patient blood management practices and patient or donor care.	LO4, LO5
2	Contribute to and deliver a group oral presentation .	LO4, LO5
3	Adhere to presentation and referencing conventions.	LO4
4	Provide justified responses to questions.	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Final Practical Examination

Task Description:

Final Practical Examination - The practical exam will take place in the Haematology Laboratory (C219), during the Semester 2 University Examination Period.

This is a hurdle task that you must pass to pass the unit.

It is a requirement to attend a minimum of 75% of the laboratory practical sessions before sitting the final practical exam to ensure adequate competency is gained for safety in practice.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge of blood grouping techniques, cross matching and blood transfusion reactions to resolve anomalies and atypical results and demonstrate practical skills.	LO2

Assessment Task 6: Final Theory Examination

Task Description:

This is a closed book paper-based exam, where you will be required to demonstrate your individual ability to communicate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Compare and contrast the characteristics and clinical and laboratory significance of the ABO, Rh and other major blood group systems.	LO1
2	Describe blood-grouping techniques, identify blood group antibodies and discuss cross-matching procedures that result in safe blood products for transfusion.	LO2
3	Describe the clinical and laboratory features and practical investigation of blood transfusion reactions, haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, autoimmune haemolytic anaemias and adverse effects of transfusion.	LO3, LO4
4	Explain the role of the transfusion laboratory in the effective use and management of blood and blood products.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need to access the following texts [eBooks available via the Library] on a regular basis:
• Harmening, D 2019, Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices, vol Seventh edition [electronic resource] F.A. Davis, Philadelphia, PA,
• Murphy, M. F., Roberts, D. J., Yazer, M. H., 2017, Practical transfusion medicine [electronic resource] Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons Inc.
You will need to access the following resources from the ANZSBT website:
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, 2016, Guidelines for Transfusion and Immunohaematology Laboratory Practice, 1st edn, ANZSBT available for free download via https://anzsbt.org.au/guidelines-standards/anzsbt-guidelines/
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, 2018, Guidelines for the administration of blood products, 3rd edn, ANZSBT available to download via https://anzsbt.org.au/guidelines-standards/anzsbt-guidelines/
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, 2011, Patient Blood Management Guidelines: module 1 Critical Bleeding/Massive Transfusion, 1st edn (under review), ANZSBT available for free download via https://anzsbt.org.au/guidelines-standards/other-guidelines-standards/
Recommended readings