Transfusion Speciality Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

Students should expect to undertake a minimum of 120 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

It is advisable to allocate at least 7 hours per week to study. This includes reading the distance learning packages and watching the videos as well as completing activities, answering questions posted and participating in the weekly discussions. It is recommended that you read widely on the topic of Transfusion Practice / Medicine - the book of readings will assist however this is not an exhaustive list. This course is delivered entirely online so you will need to organise your time accordingly.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The purpose of the clinical subject is to build upon the theoretical concepts already learnt and offers the opportunity to apply this knowledge in the student's specific clinical setting.

The subject involves the completion of 4 hurdles which range from developing patient education information on blood transfusion and the administration of a blood product (competencies for nursing participants) through to an auditing and academic detailing activity on various aspects related to transfusion practice.

At the end of the subject, student should:

• Apply the acquired theoretical knowledge in the clinical setting for areas important to clinical practice improvement

100% of assessment: Clinical Portfolio due to at the end of the semester. Pass/Fail Mark Only.

Students are appointed a Clinical Mentor (based at their workplace) at the beginning of the semester and the mentor assesses whether the student can satisfactorily complete each hurdle.

To obtain a pass, students must complete all tasks listed below:

1. Record of meetings with Clinical Mentor: Meetings between the student and the Clinical Mentor should occur at least 4 times per semester (or more frequently if required). Meetings should be documented by the student and co signed by the clinical mentor.
2. Reflective Journal entries: You will be required to record a minimum of 2 reflective journal entries for the semester. The purpose of the reflective journal is to capture information and tacit knowledge about your experiences within the scope of transfusion practice.
3. Blood Product Administration/Issue Hurdle: Perform the supervised administration or issuing of blood or blood products:
4. Patient/Staff Education Hurdle: Perform a supervised education session with a colleague. This can be either another blood bank scientist, medical or nursing staff.
5. Audit Report Hurdle: Working in the area of Transfusion Medicine/Practice you may be involved in trialling change concepts within an identified area (e.g. Haematology, Outpatients, Operating Theatre, Pathology Laboratory) of your organization. Compile an audit report using a set of standards or guidelines that you have identified as appropriate.
6. Academic Detailing Hurdle: This assessment involves you conducting a one-on-one informal interview with a clinician (within your organization) to discuss evidence-based practice.

The Clinical Use of Blood in Medicine, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Surgery and Anaesthesia, Trauma and Burns by the World Health Organisation , Blood Transfusion Safety, Geneva (2002)

• Transfusion Medicine in Practice edited by Jennifer Duguid, Lawrence Goodnough and Michael Desmond (2002)
• Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (21st Edition) American Association of Blood Banks (2002)
• Daileys Notes on Blood (4th Edition) John F Daley (2002) Medical Consulting Group USA
• Guidelines for Blood Utilization Review (2001) American Association of Blood Banks (2002)
• Essential Haematology (3rd Edition) A.V. Hoffbrand & J.E. Pettit: Blackwell Science
• Transfusion Medicine in Practice (2002) J. Duduid, T. Goodnough, M. Desmond (Editors) Martin Dunitz Ltd
• Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (6th Edition) Frederic Martini (2003) Prentice Hall
• Clinical Risk Management: Enhancing patient safety (2001) Charles Vincent BMJ publishers

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• Develop knowledge and confidence in the practice of blood transfusion
• Improve skills in reflective thinking on subject material and recommended readings