The goal of the rotation in Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine is for the resident to become sufficiently familiar with current knowledge in the field to allow him/her to serve as consultants to clinicians and to blood bank staff.
The rotation is three blocks in duration, which may be completed in a single block or more often in a 2-month block followed by a one month-block. Incoming Residents are expected to learn practical methods in immunohematology by spending time in the Blood Bank under the supervision of the Blood Bank Medical Director/Attending Pathologist/Technical Staff. This includes daily teaching rounds session.
The rotation is three blocks in duration, which may be completed in a single block or more often in a 2-month block followed by a one month-block. Incoming Residents are expected to learn practical methods in immunohematology by spending time in the Blood Bank under the supervision of the Blood Bank Medical Director/Attending Pathologist/Technical Staff. This includes daily teaching rounds session.
The resident must:
- Understand basic immunology as applicable to Transfusion Medicine: antigens, antibodies, and complement; immune reactions, involving blood cells and blood constituents, both in vivo and in vitro.
- Be conversant with blood group serology and genetics; including red cell, leukocyte, and platelet antigens; their respective antibodies; and the serologic techniques necessary for their demonstration.
- Be familiar with blood component therapy; including knowledge of the coagulation mechanism, evaluation and treatment of coagulation disorders, and advantages and disadvantages of specific blood components.
- Be conversant with principles of stem cell/tissue transplantation and blood transfusion; including red cell compatibility testing; histocompatibility testing, rejection phenomena; and hazards of blood transfusion, including transfusion reactions and disease transmission.
- Be able to communicate with clinicians regarding indications and contraindications for therapeutic apheresis procedures.
- In the third month residents are expected to perform a mock accreditation inspection according to the AABB standards under the coordination of the Blood Bank management.
Rotation Highlights
- Self-directed learning program which consists of recorded lectures on several topics covering blood bank and transfusion medicine.
- Bench work observation experience with our technical staff/education coordinator.
- One on one teaching lectures and the daily round discussions on blood bank cases and consultations with the attending pathologist.
- Meetings with the blood bank management on how to manage a transfusion service.