BMLS 451 - Clinical Immunohematology I (3)

Prerequisites: BMLS 333, BMLS 435
Corequisite: BMLS 451L
A study of the theory, principles, procedures, technical performance, and evaluation of blood bank procedures required for transfusion of blood and blood components. The student will learn patient specimen processing and pre-transfusion testing including blood ABO and Rh typing, antibody screening and antibody identification. The student will also learn to select compatible blood types for each blood component and perform necessary pre-transfusion compatibility testing for red blood cell transfusion. The course may also discuss proper component storage, and modifications of components such as thawing plasma or washing red blood cell units. Transfusion therapy practices, blood group system biochemistry, genetics, and serology are stressed. Also emphasized are various quality assurance processes including daily quality control, including reagent quality control, refrigerator/freezer/heat block temperature monitoring, and error reporting, regulations, as well as the investigation of suspected transfusion reactions.