UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

The aim of this unit is to prepare graduates with the relevant theory and practical knowledge of transfusion science required of a medical scientist in advancing patient care in professional practice. On completion of the unit students are expected to understand and apply the Australian regulatory framework for pre-transfusion testing and transfusion practice in a clinical laboratory.

The aim is achieved by increasing knowledge and understanding of; principles of immunohaematology, methods for pre-transfusion testing and selection of compatible blood products for transfusion, the pathophysiology and investigation of transfusion reactions, and awareness of transfusion requirements of pregnant women and neonates.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) explain how blood is collected, tested and prepared into components for transfusion in line with the Australian regulatory framework; (2) perform pre-transfusion ABO and Rh(D) grouping, antibody screening, antibody identification and selection of compatible blood for a transfusion; (3) outline the pathophysiology of transfusion reaction investigations and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn; and (4) perform investigation of blood transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) tests; and (3) practical assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the practical assessment component.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Matthew Linden and Dr Chris Cruickshank

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

PATH5161 Laboratory Haematology

Contact hours

lectures: up to 2 hours per week
labs: up to 3 hours per week
tutorials: up to 3 hours per week

Note

This unit includes collecting and working with blood from patients and healthy volunteers. While the activities involved have undergone risk assessment and relevant institutional biosafety approvals, some activities are considered to be exposure-prone procedures (EPPs). As such, it is important that students meet the expectations for Health Care Workers in Western Australia. Under these guidelines HCWs and students are responsible for ensuring—(1) they know their own blood borne virus status; (2) their vaccination status against vaccine preventable diseases is current and they can provide evidence of HBV vaccination or documented evidence of non-responder status; (3) any refusal to undertake recommended vaccinations and/or serology is to be documented; and (4) they adopt infection prevention practices to minimise the risk of occupational exposure (e.g. use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safe handling and disposal of sharps).