CQUniversity Unit Profile
BMSC13011 Advanced Transfusion Science
Advanced Transfusion Science
All details in this unit profile for BMSC13011 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit enables you to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of Transfusion Science, building on the knowledge and understanding of the principles gained in earlier units. You will gain vital knowledge on topics such as safe blood storage and handling, blood typing and the detection and identification of antibodies significant in transfusion. You will also perform compatibility testing and discuss the potential adverse outcomes of blood transfusions plus pre-natal, antenatal and postnatal screening. You will be required to attend a compulsory residential school in Rockhampton and an assessment task will be completed on campus during this residential school. The theoretical and practical sessions will allow you to develop skills in critical steps necessary in providing safe blood for transfusion in routine and emergency situations.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: BMSC12003 Haematology and Transfusion Science AND BMSC13009 Immunology OR BMSC13023 Applied Immunology

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2024

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Case Study
Weighting: 25%
2. Laboratory/Practical
Weighting: 25%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
4. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Some students felt that more examples and elaborations were required in some areas of the unit.

Recommendation

Continue to review and update lecture material as required.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Some students did not interact much during the residential school and throughout the term.

Recommendation

Continue to increase use of interactive sessions throughout the term and during residential school.

Feedback from SUTE and self reflection

Feedback

The implementation of a virtual weekly quizzes via Kahoot enhanced student learning experience.

Recommendation

Continue to increase use of virtual kahoot quizzes in more areas of this unit for continued student experience.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Discuss the production, labelling, storage and transportation of human blood products and their medical uses
  2. Perform advanced testing in Transfusion Science including pre-transfusion, compatibility testing, antenatal and the testing for autoantibodies
  3. Demonstrate the correct interpretation and reporting of test results in Transfusion Science
  4. Examine the role of antibodies in erythrocyte destruction and their effect on the principles of transfusion including adverse transfusion outcomes
  5. Critique the importance of quality control in transfusion science and explain the results
  6. Discuss the factors contributing to adverse transfusion outcomes and their effects in transfusion science.

Competency Based Standards for Medical Scientists, December 2009.

Unit 1: Collection, preparation and analysis of clinical material - Elements 1.1.1 - 1.1.3; 1.1.6 - 1.1.8; 1.2.4; 1.3.1 - 1.3.5; 1.5.1 - 1.5.5 & 1.6.1 - 1.6.8;

Unit 2: Correlation and validation of results of investigations using knowledge of method(s) including analytical principles and clinical information - Elements 2.1.1 - 2.1.2; 2.2.1; 2.3.1 & 2.3.2

Unit 3: Interpretation, reporting and issuing of laboratory results - Elements 3.1.1

Unit 4: Maintenance of documentation, equipment, resources and stock - Elements 4.2.1 - 4.2.6

Unit 5: Maintenance and promotion of safe working practices - Elements 5.1.3; 5.2.1; 5.3.4; 5.3.9; 5.4.1 - 5.4.5

Unit 6: Professional accountability and participation in continuing professional development - Elements 6.5.6 & 6.5.7

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Case Study - 25%
2 - Laboratory/Practical - 25%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%
4 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices

Edition: 7th (2018)
Authors: Denise M Harmening
F.A. Davis Company
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania , PA , USA
ISBN: 9780803668881
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Basic & Applied Concepts of Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices

Edition: 4th (2016)
Authors: Paula R Howard
Elsevier - Health Sciences Division
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323697392
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Immunohaematology: Principles and Practice

Edition: 3rd (2011)
Authors: Eva D. Quinley
Jones & Bartlett ( now BPS )
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 978-0781782043
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Transfusion and Transplantation Science

Edition: 2nd edn (2017)
Authors: Avent, Neil
Oxford University Press UK
Oxford Oxford , UK
ISBN: 9780198735731
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

If you prefer to study with a paper copy, they can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop at: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code).

eBook version of the prescribed textbook can be purchased at: https://www.fadavis.com/product/modern-blood-banking-transfusion-practices-harmening-7 

Electronic access to prescribed and supplementary textbooks are available via the eReading Lists on the Moodle page.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Roxina Sharma Unit Coordinator
r.r.sharma@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

  1. Introduction to Advanced Transfusion Science
  2. Genetics
  3. Immunological Principles

Chapter

Part I – Chapters 2 and 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum: - Introduction to unit plus, revision quiz

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Blood and Blood Components

Chapter

Part III – Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 1 content

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

ABO and Rh Blood Group Systems

Chapter

Part I - Chapter 4

Part II – Chapters 6 and 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 2 content

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

  1. Other Common Blood Group Systems
  2. Uncommon Blood Group Systems
  3. Atypical Antibodies and the Coombs Test

Chapter

Part II - chapters 8, 9, 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 3 content - Case studies  

 

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Principles of Serologic and Pretransfusion Compatibility Testing

Chapter

Part II – Chapters 10, 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 4 content

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Independent study week - an opportunity for self-directed learning and mid-unit revision.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

No lectures or tutorials 

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Clinical Conditions Associated with Transfusion Science

Chapter

Part III – Chapters 17 and 21

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum- Week 5 content - Case studies


Case Study Analysis Due: Week 6 Friday (23 Aug 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and the Newborn (HDFN)

Chapter

Part III – Chapter 20

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 6 content - Case study 

 

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

  1. The HLA System
  2. Haemopoietic Stem Cell (HSCT) and Organ Transplant
  3. Laboratory Analysis of Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant 

Chapter

Part II - chapters 19, 23, 24

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 7 content - Case study 

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory and Compliance Issues

Chapter

Part V – Chapters 25, 26, 28, 29

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 8 content - Case study 

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Compulsory Residential School - Monday September 16th - Thursday September 19th.

Chapter

Laboratory Manual

Laboratory/Practical Workbook 

Practical Exam

Events and Submissions/Topic

No tutorials this week. 

During this Residential School, your competency will be assessed on your ability to safely perform and correctly interpret and analyse a number of transfusion science techniques.


Laboratory /Practical Assessment (Pass/Fail) Due: Week 10 Thursday (19 Sept 2024) 1:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

  1. Transfusion of Specific Blood Factions
  2. Automation in Transfusion Science

Chapter

Part II – Chapter 16

Part III - Chapter 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 9 content - Case study 

 


Laboratory /Practical Workbook Due: Week 11 Monday (23 Sept 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Unit revision and exam preparation.

  1. Transfusion Science in Summary.

 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion forum - Week 11 content + Revision 

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Revision / Exam

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The End-of-unit exam will be scheduled in the CQUniversity examination period between 10/10/24 - 18/10/24. The exact date will be advised on the unit Moodle page.

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator / Lecturer / Tutor / Assessor:

MS Roxzina (Roxina) Sharma: r.r.sharma@cqu.edu.au

Pre-recorded lectures will be used throughout the term and will be available to students at least a week prior to the start of each lecture week.

Live tutorial / discussion forum / quiz sessions will be available in all weeks except in residential school week. You are strongly encouraged to participate in tutorials, as studies have shown that students who attend the tutorials and participate in discussions have higher rates of success (Karnik et al., 2020). It is advisable to review the weekly lectures before each tutorial / discussion / quiz session. 

Weekly study questions are also provided to reinforce the knowledge you have gained from the lectures and to support your learning experience in this unit. Please refer to the Moodle site for further details. 

Students have e-access to the prescribed textbook, additional reading resources and some of the supplementary textbooks via the eReading Lists on the Moodle page.

Attendance to the Residential School is compulsory for all students. Further details will be provided on your Moodle page during the term.

Students are encouraged to use the Moodle Q&A for all communication purposes. This will be monitored and responded to in a timely manner (within 48 hours). 

There are no resubmissions of assessments in this unit. You must earn an overall grade of 50% to pass this unit. 

As per Australian educational standards, you are expected to commit 150 hours of engagement to your study of this unit. This is broken down as:

2 - 3 hours per week attending or watching recorded lectures and revising the content through study notes

3 - 4 hours per week completing the weekly readings and other material on the unit's Moodle site.

1 - 2 hours per week attending the weekly tutorial and contributing to discussions and revising the content provided.

3 - 4 hours per week preparing your assessments or studying for your exams.

Karnik, A., Kishore, P., & Meraj, M. (2020). Examining the linkage between class attendance at university and academic performance in an International Branch Campus setting. Research in Comparative and International Education, 15(4), 371-390. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745499920958855

Assessment Tasks

1 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study Analysis

Task Description

You will be provided an authentic clinical case study on the unit Moodle site. The following information regarding the case will be available to you: a pathology request form with patient information, tests requested and clinical notes for a potential blood transfusion. You are required to analyse the dataset and answer the related questions. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (23 Aug 2024) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (6 Sept 2024)


Weighting
25%

Minimum mark or grade
50% of total attainable marks.

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on the following criteria.

  1. Accuracy in the analysis of clinical data provided. 
  2. Correct interpretation and explanation of results.
  3. A detailed explanation of how you derived your conclusions from the clinical information provided.

A detailed marking guide will be provided on the Moodle page. 

Please note that all late submissions will be penalised 5% per calendar day unless an application for an extension has been approved.

All extension requests must be made through the extension request system on Moodle with the appropriate documentation. Assessments that have been submitted more than 20 calendar days late without an approved extension will be marked with the maximum marks being zero of the total achievable marks.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Examine the role of antibodies in erythrocyte destruction and their effect on the principles of transfusion including adverse transfusion outcomes
  • Discuss the factors contributing to adverse transfusion outcomes and their effects in transfusion science.

2 Laboratory/Practical

Assessment Title
Laboratory /Practical Workbook

Task Description

For Medical Scientists working in a Transfusion Laboratory, it is essential that laboratory techniques are performed and interpreted correctly each and every time. Failure to do so may lead to potentially fatal consequences. For this reason, demonstration of individual practical competence is vital.

During the residential school you will complete the following. 

Part (A) Compulsory Practical Workbook (Pass/Fail): Students are required to transcribe all results and interpretations of each practical task in the relevant sections of this workbook. Completion of the workbook will evidence student engagement and understanding of the principles behind compatibility testing for safe transfusion practices. 

Part (B) Laboratory Practical Online Test (25%): Students are required to answer a set of online questions related to the practical tasks performed during the course of the residential school.  


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (23 Sept 2024) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024)


Weighting
25%

Minimum mark or grade
50% for each assessment item - Part (A) and Part (B)

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on the following criteria.

  1. Correct interpretation and explanation of results.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking ability in how you derived your conclusions from the clinical information provided.
  3. Ability to define key concepts related to practical task performed during residential school.  

Part (A) Compulsory Practical Workbook (Pass/Fail):  will be marked in class during the course of the Residential School at completion of each task. 

Part (B): Laboratory Practical Online Test (25%):   This will consist of short and long answer analytical questions online.  


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform advanced testing in Transfusion Science including pre-transfusion, compatibility testing, antenatal and the testing for autoantibodies
  • Demonstrate the correct interpretation and reporting of test results in Transfusion Science
  • Critique the importance of quality control in transfusion science and explain the results

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Laboratory /Practical Assessment (Pass/Fail)

Task Description

You will undertake an invigilated practical assessment in the last session of the residential school. You will be provided with a patient sample and a number of donor units to determine compatibility for safe transfusion outcomes. You will be required to accurately perform routine blood banking techniques to obtain valid results leading to the prevention of adverse transfusion outcomes. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Thursday (19 Sept 2024) 1:00 pm AEST

To be handed to the assessor on completion.


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Thursday (19 Sept 2024)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
80% of the total attainable marks.

Assessment Criteria

On completion, this assessment must be handed to the assessor for marking before the end of the final day of residential school. 

You will be assessed on accurately performing the following criteria.

  1. Correct patient and sample identification.
  2. Correct interpretation of testing techniques.
  3. Obtain and correctly transcribe valid results.
  4. Correctly analyse results using critical thinking.
  5. Determine compatibility of the donor units with a patient sample.
  6. Explain how your results have achieved safe transfusion outcomes. 
     

Students who fail the 1st attempt will be granted a second attempt. The second attempt will be conducted in the second half of the final day, prior to completion of the residential school session.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Submission Instructions
On completion, this assessment must be handed to the assessor for marking before the end of the final day of residential school. 

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform advanced testing in Transfusion Science including pre-transfusion, compatibility testing, antenatal and the testing for autoantibodies
  • Demonstrate the correct interpretation and reporting of test results in Transfusion Science

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?