As the word “refresher” implies, you were once a student of immunohematology or transfusion science. You may be working in another area of clinical practice and now need to provide coverage in the transfusion science area. You may be planning to re-enter the clinical laboratory after an absence or you may have trained in another country and wish to prepare yourself for CSMLS certification. Whatever your motivation, we invite you to build upon your initial education in immunohematology and to explore the concepts of immunology, serology and hematology which relate to transfusion practice. You will use a self-directed learning approach, which is the natural learning process for adults, as you achieve the clear objectives set down in this course and make use of the many assembled resources to support your studies.

At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Describe a self-directed learning project, thereby relating to other independent learning situations
• Define transfusion medicine
• Define primary and secondary immunization
• Differentiate between humoral and cellular immunity
• Recognize functions of T cells and B cells
• Use terminology relating to immunoglobulin structure and function
• Employ basic factual information about the immune system
• Explain environmental conditions necessary for a successful antigen-antibody reaction in anti-human globulin testing
• Apply the principles of anti-human globulin testing to antibody detection problems
• Differentiate between methods of antibody detection
• Apply basic genetic principles to the ABO system
• Interpret normal and abnormal ABO and Rh testing results
• Compare blood group system characteristics for systems Rh, Lewis, Kidd, Kell, I, Lutheran, MNSs, P, Duffy
• Explain commonly required antibody investigation techniques
• Identify critical steps in investigation of a suspected haemolytic transfusion reaction
• Explain adverse effects of transfusion
• List transmissible disease testing requirements for blood donations
• Identify the types of laboratory errors used in a standardized error reporting system
• Identify aspects of transfusion medicine as it relates to hemolytic disease of the newborn
• Describe investigation techniques for autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Describe mechanisms of drug-induced hemolytic anemia
• Identify criteria for selection of suitable blood donors
• List and explain the characteristics of blood components and blood products available from the blood supplier
• Indicate the storage requirements and expiry dates for red blood cells, platelets and plasma components

Who will be your instructor?

Kate Gagliardi served as Project Coordinator for the Quality Essentials for Safe Transfusion (QUEST) project of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, 2002-2004. Her most recent role with the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program was Technical Specialist in Transfusion, Regulatory responsibilities. As of July 2006 Kate is seconded from the Regulatory role to serve as Regional Blood Coordinator, Southwest, as part of a new initiative by the Ontario Ministry of Health to coordinated blood programs and utilization issues in the province. Other past roles include serving as Profession Leader for the Chedoke-McMaster Laboratory Medicine department, from 1997-1999. Kate is also an independent consultant in Transfusion Medicine, since 1997. An active volunteer for the profession, Kate has served both the College of Medical Laboratory Technologist of Ontario (CMLTO) and Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) in a variety of roles. Currently she is the Ontario Director on the CSMLS Board of Directors. In 2001, she was asked to represent the Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) on the National Liaison Committee for Canadian Blood Services (CBS), a new consumer group that advises the Board of Directors of CBS (2001-present). She is the recipient of the 2003 Dr. D.I. Buchanan Award from the Immunohematology Club of Edmonton, and the 2003 A.R. Shearer Pride of the Profession award from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science.

• Prior to attempting this course, the learner will have a general knowledge of Transfusion Science.

  For a successful learning experience, you MUST check the computer you will use!

• System Processor: Minimum: 800 Mhz
• System Ram: Minimum: 500 MB
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768
• Internet Connection: Minimum 56K, high-speed recommended
• Firewall: Access by http://els.csmls.org/ permitted
• Pop-ups: • allow pop ups from http://els.csmls.org/ Or • when you are going to work in E-Learning Society, turn off the pop-up blocker
• JavaScript is required and can be installed from http://www.java.com/en/download/
• Browser: A recent version of your internet browser, Internet Explorer preferred
• NOTE: THE CSMLS PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR E-LEARNING SOCIETY ONLY. WE CANNOT PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PROBLEMS WITH YOUR COMPUTER
• We highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with E-Learning Society well before your course start date. There are free courses in “start e-learning” to help you get comfortable with the system.
• New feature – you will have access to a printable copy of the course.

Other course details:

• Four months in length
• Begins March and October
• Ten assignments to be completed and a final examination
• Required textbook - Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices, 5th edition. Denise Harmening
• Assistance available from Kate via telephone and e-mail
• Course last reviewed/revised: August 2010

Related Categories for this course

• New
• Refresher
• Transfusion Science