Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Medical scientists play an important role in the provision of a safe and reliable blood transfusion service and therefore must be competent in the laboratory procedures and practices required to deliver this service. Transplantation science similarly involves compatibility testing of donors and recipients, but for tissues other than blood. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and is preceded by LSB438 and LSB555. This unit prepares you for employment in laboratories that participate in transfusion services, such as a pathology/hospital bloodbanks.

Aims

This unit is desiged to provide you with the knowledge, skills and application of skills required to practice in transfusion medicine, and contribute to the provision of a safe transfusion service. It also aims to broadly introduce you to histocompatibility testing as it applies to clinical transplantation science. You will develop your practical and problem solving skills in learning exercises/activities relevant to the practice of transfusion, using resources and procedures that are currently used in transfusion laboratories.

Objectives

At the end of this unit you will demonstrate evidence of:
1. Effective problem solving and complex reasoning in the provision of a safe transfusion service, using a variety of methods or technologies appropriate to the clinical scenario.
2. Transfusion and transplantation knowledge relevant to the laboratory context and professional knowledge applicable to local and global contexts.
3. Professional knowledge and behaviour, including the application of quality assurance principles and contribution to a group learning environment.
4. The ability to communicate your knowledge and learning in spoken, written and digital format appropriate for medical laboratory scientists for a range of purposes and audiences, including international and intercultural communication contexts.

Content

This unit focuses on the study of blood and its components with respect to the genetic and immunological aspects of antigens and antibodies relevant to transfusion and compatibility testing. The study of compatibility as it applies to tissue transplantation (bone marrow/stem cell, tissue or solid organ) will also be introduced.
Specific content includes:
· Blood and blood components
· Significant blood group systems
· Blood group antibody screening and identification
· Blood compatibility
· Quality systems in bloodbanking and transfusion
· Principles of histocompatibility and common protocols of transplantation science.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit takes a theory to practice approach with real-world, problem-based scenarios and exercises. The learning experiences are organised as lectures (2 hours per week), laboratory practicals (3 hours per week) and, where possible, visits to professional sites.

The practical sessions include activities in blood grouping, antibody detection and compatibility testing using a variety of methods are designed for you to gain first-hand practice to attain a competence level. Therefore, your attendance at these practicals is integral to your learning and required competence levels.

In addition to your classroom based activities, web-based multiple choice question sets and case studies will be provided as formative assessment and to facilitate self-paced learning. You will be encouraged to use these online learning activities to help you develop analytical and problem solving skills and assess your level of achievement.

This unit is taught in a way that encourages you to acquire and develop the graduate attributes highly valued by employers for medical laboratory scientists. These include discipline specific knowledge and practical skills, the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve, provide effective written and oral communications, as well as the capacity to work independently or as part of a team in an ethically, culturally sensitive and professional manner. As a result, your learning activities and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities.

Assessment

General Assessment Information
Both formative and summative assessment apply to this unit.
Because of the serious consequences associated with mistakes in compatibility testing, you must pass the final laboratory practical examination and obtain at least 50% in assessment overall for successful completion of this unit.

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LSB665. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence the following week at the start of practical class, e.g. medical certificate. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Late Submission and Requests for Extensions
Assessment tasks will not be accepted if they are more than one working week late (five days) or the material has been subsequently reviewed in class. For assessment tasks where an extensioin has not been sought and approved, 20% from the total mark available will be subtracted for each day or part day or lateness until five working days have passed. A mark of zero and did not complete will then be recorded as your final result. If you need an extension it must be requested before the due date by emailing the unit coordinator, with supporting documentation attached, outlining why you need an extension and how long you are seeking. Request for extensions received after the due date without appropriate supporting evidence will not be approved.During the practical classes, the teaching team will provide immediate feedback on competence, approaches to problem solving and your interpretation of results for the learning activities. You can further monitor your progress by completing web-based self-directed learning activities available on Blackboard.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Completion of three laboratory reports, based on activities performed during the laboratory practical sessions. Summative.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Over the semester

Assessment name: Examination (practical)
Description: Practical examination, held in Week 13 of semester. Summative. Must obtain a pass to pass the unit.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Theory examination, central examinations period.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central exam period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

1. Quinley ED, Immunohematology - Principles and Practice, 4th edition ISBN: 978-0-7817-8204-3

2. NPAAC Requirements for Transfusion Laboratory Practice (2008) 1st edition [Available on Blackboard]

3. ANZSBT Guidelines for Pretransfusion Laboratory Practice (2007) 5th edition [Available on Blackboard]

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component that requires you to handle blood products and reagents that are potentially infectious. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You will be expected to wear the correct personal protective equipment at all times when working in the laboratory. It is also expected that you have completed the online student Health and Safety quiz available on QUT Virtual before classes commence at the beginning of semester. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/ for further information. If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the Unit Co-ordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012