Revised 08/2022

MDL 216 - Blood Banking (4 CR.)

Course Description

Teaches fundamentals of blood grouping and typing, compatibility testing, antibody screening, component preparation, donor selection, and transfusion reactions and investigation.

Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Total 8 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course will teach the student the basic principles necessary to perform competently in a clinical blood bank. Weekly laboratories will stress actual student performance of the routine blood bank and serology procedures.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

  • Students should be enrolled in the second year of the Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree program.
  • Prerequisite: MDL 215 with a minimum grade of “C” or program director approval. Completion of the first- year core courses with a grade of “C” or better is required.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

  • Discuss the history of transfusion, genetics and the immune response with regard to Blood Banking
  • Describe distinctive properties of antigens and antibodies
  • Explain theory behind procedures performed in the blood bank
  • Discuss the characteristics and significance of various blood group system
  • Interpret unexpected antibody reactions in panels using the cross-out method
  • Explain causes and symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn
  • Describe the preparation and appropriate use of various blood components including expiration times and storage temperature
  • Discuss causes of auto immune disease including drug induced hemolytic anemia
  • Describe medical history and criteria necessary for blood donation
  • List various forms of adverse reactions caused by blood transfusion
  • Compare and contrast quality control and quality assurance in the blood bank
  • Interpret HLA and paternity problems
  • Effectively Communicate processes, procedures and results in a multicultural environment

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Antigen-antibody characteristics and reactions Basic genetics
  • ABO system Rh system
  • Anti human globulin testing Other blood group systems
  • Detection, identification, and titration of antibodies Compatibility
  • Blood donation and components Hemolytic disease of the newborn Quality control