MLAB 2301 - Immunohematology/Blood Bank

3 sem hrs cr (30 lecture hours/30 laboratory hours)

The theory and practice of blood group antigens and antibodies, donor selection, and component therapy.  Topics include:  ABO grouping, Rh typing, cross matching, antibody screening and identification, quality control, donor screening, component preparation, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, autoimmune hemolytic anemias, and adverse effects of transfusion.   Prerequisite: Program Restriction—Enrollment limited to students admitted to the MLT program

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UN

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to…

• describe the characteristics of blood cell antigens and major differences of IgG and IgM antibodies in immunohematology testing, distinguishing in vitro with in vivo antigen-antibody reactions.
• describe the principle of the direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, as well as the role of potentiators in blood bank testing.
• describe the sources of antigen and antibody used in routine testing in immunohematology, including antisera, anti-globulin reagents, reagent red blood cells, and lectins.
• compare and contrast polyclonal and monoclonal antisera, reagent blood cells, and other reagents and equipment used in the blood bank laboratory, as well as the importance of cell washing in select procedures.
• define blood group system and list the major groups encountered in immunohematology.
• describe the general characteristics of ABO and H system antigens and antibodies, including the inheritance of A, B, and H antigens.
• describe the genotypes, phenotypes, antigen structures, and other characteristics of the Rh and other blood group system.
• define the following terms: universal donor, universal recipient, secretor, and non-secretor.
• describe the characteristics of Rh system antibodies and their clinical significance with regard to transfusion and HDN.
• list the steps used in forward typing, antibody screening, and antibody identification procedures and discuss the purpose of these tests.
• describe the principles of adsorption, elution, and neutralization of antibodies.
• provide a description of each blood component and its clinical use, as well as storage and quality control requirements for each component.
• appraise the results of a hemolytic disease of the newborn workup.
• indicate the proper protocol for the release of various blood components and products.
• discuss and demonstrate quality assurance practices for a clinical laboratory.
• develop trouble-shooting skills.
• exhibit professionalism, self-motivation, and responsibility.
• demonstrate the practice of universal laboratory safety precautions at all times.
• given the procedure and any necessary equipment and/or reagents, carry out assigned blood bank laboratory tests in a manner that ensures the validity of your results.
• perform tube agglutination tests for forward typing, antibody screening, crossmatch, and antibody identification procedures using established procedures.
• identify and resolve ABO discrepancies.
• properly select blood for compatibility testing and prepare donor blood for transfusion after pre-transfusion testing is complete.