UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA, BARATON

School of Health Sciences

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Course Outline

Course: CLSC 141, Principles of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine

Credits: 3 Credits
Instructor: Amy Ogot Chesimet, MSc
Semester: Trimester 3, 2020/21
Time: 08:00-09:00, M-Th; Lab – TBA
Telephone/ E-mail: +254725711202; ogota@ueab.ac.ke

PURPOSE OF COURSE

This course is for nursing and other students in the Health Sciences. The course covers basic
hematology, hemostasis and blood bank.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student should be able to:

1. Explain the hematopoietic stages of development for the different blood cells.
2. Identify blood cell characteristics in developing cells and some altered morphology of cells in
pathologic states.
3. Explain the function of bone marrow and how and when to obtain and prepare bone marrow
samples for hematologic studies.
4. Describe the structure and explain the function of red blood cells.
5. Describe the characteristics of the main anemias and leukemias.
6. Explain what is involved in normal hemostasis.
7. Identify the various red blood cell antigens in the blood group systems.
8. Explain what is involved in compatibility testing.
9. Explain the criteria for donor selection and the procedures involved in donor unit processing.
10. Describe the different blood components and their uses.
11. Describe the different transfusion reactions and what causes them.
12. Perform some routine hematologic procedures.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course introduces the production, maturation, and function of normal blood cells; it covers the
morphology of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, both for the immature and mature cells.
Anemia and leukemia are covered. Normal hemostasis is introduced. This course also introduces blood
group antigen systems and some basic blood bank testing, mainly involving compatibility testing. It covers
donor selection, donor unit testing, component preparation and possible transfusion reactions. Routine
laboratory testing in hematology is also dealt with.
COURSE CONTENT

Week Topic
1. Hematopoiesis
2. Bone Marrow – structure, function, obtaining/preparing bone marrow for hematologic
studies.
3. The Red Blood Cell: Structure and Function
4. Evaluation of Blood Cell Morphology
5. Anemia – Diagnosis and considerations; Fundamentals of the common anemias.
6. Test 1
Introduction to Leukemia; overview of the major leukemias
7. Hemostasis overview – coagulation factors, primary and secondary hemostasis,
fibrinolysis.
8. Fundamentals of Genetics and Immunology: Blood Bank Applications;
Antihuman Globulin (AHG) Testing
9. ABO and H Blood Group Systems; Rh Blood Group System
10. The Lewis and Other Major Blood Group Systems – introduction.
11. Compatibility Testing
12. Donor selection and donor unit processing; Component Preparation Transfusion Reactions
Test 2

LABORATORY TOPICS
1. Manual white cell count
2. Manual red cell count
3. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
4. Hematocrit measurement
5. Hemoglobin estimation
6. Peripheral blood film making, staining and differential count
7. Preparation of red cell suspensions
8. ABO/Rh Typing

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES
Students will attend lectures and laboratory sessions. In the laboratory sessions (three hours weekly), the
student will carry out practicals in analysis of samples with the laboratory technician and instructor
facilitating and supervising.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also participate in all practical
exercises/laboratory sessions. Attendance records will be kept. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause
of absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with any of the instructors, indicating the
reason for the absence. With the current situation where we are forced to have online classes, attendance is
still important, and participation is necessary; this will include presentations and discussions in ‘class.’
Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments, examinations,
or other academic performances are prohibited. You are not allowed to make copies of another person’s
work or download work from the internet and submit it as your own; that is plagiarism. All cases of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in
accordance with the guidelines for handling students’ misconduct as spelled out in the Students’ Handbook.
Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their cell phones during lectures.
Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting, watching videos, etc.) during lectures.
Chewing gum is not allowed in the classroom. Food and drinks are not permitted in the laboratories.
LABORATORY
All laboratory exercises will be prepared by the instructor and the laboratory technologist. These sessions
are coordinated with lecture material, and provide hands-on experience to enhance the learning process.
The lab sessions will be arranged for, and will need to be done physically in the MLS department
laboratories.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
Point distribution % Grade Scale
Attendance 05 80-100% A 55-59% C+
Quizzes/Assignments 10 75-79% A- 50-54% C
Sectional tests (2) 10 70-74% B+ 45-49% C-
Laboratory 15 65-69% B 40-44% D
Final Examination 60 60-64% B- 0-39% F

The laboratory grade will be obtained from laboratory reports, laboratory attendance (participation) and a
laboratory exam, which will be given at the end of the semester and will account for 30% of the lab grade.

TEXTBOOKS

Harmening, Denise M. Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis. 5th ed.

Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company, 2009.
Rodak, Bernadette F. Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B.
Saunders Company, 2012.
Blaney, K. and P. Howard. Basic and Applied Concepts of Immunohematology. 2nd ed. St.
Louis: Mosby, Inc., 2009.
Carr, J. C. and Rodak, B. F. Clinical Hematology Atlas. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2009.