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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HTEC D084A
Course Title (CB02)
Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology Lecture
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course introduces the student to the basic concepts and principles of immunohematology and immunology. Serologic and immunohematological procedures routinely performed in the clinical laboratory will be incorporated into the class. Knowledge gained will be used to solve case studies. Students must successfully complete this course along with the Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology Laboratory to be eligible to qualify for the Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology Practicum. Currently, this course is accepted by Laboratory Field Services as meeting the CLS pre-requisite requirement for Clinical Immunology when applying for a CLS training license.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and part of a CTE program. This is a course that was developed based on the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and California State Department of Public Health accreditation standards required for Medical Laboratory Technicians' training programs. This course belongs on the Certification of Proficiency-Advanced. This course introduces students to the theory of Immunohematology and Immunology used in the clinical laboratory.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.59.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
54.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
108.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

HTEC D084.

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Readings from required text, laboratory manual and supplemental sources.
  2. Collaborative learning exercises such as analysis of case studies, completion of investigative activities and other exercises designed to reinforce course content and allow for the application of subject matter.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Class activity - Discussions and oral question and answer sessions that test comprehension and require synthesis and application of course material.
  2. Written Assignments - Worksheets requiring students to apply theoretical concepts taught in this class to given scenarios and situations
  3. Comprehensive Final Examination - Written test requiring the student to demonstrate their ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts examined throughout the course.
  4. Problem solving - Case studies evaluate the students ability to apply critical thinking skills to a clinical situation.
  5. Objective test - Written test examination requiring students to apply theoretical concepts presented in this class to given scenarios and situations.
  6. Quizzes - Quizzes will measure the student's ability to apply recently presented course material on a routine basis to presented situations and scenarios and help identify any areas that may need extra attention.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials
  • None.
Essential College Facilities
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Harmening, Denise M.Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion PracticesF.A. Davis Company2019/ 7th Edition978-0-8036-6888-1

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Clinical Immunology and Serology

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Define the role of the immune system in relationship to molecules, cells, organs and systems responsible for the recognition and disposal of foreign material.
  • Summarize blood banking/Immunohematology principles.
  • Discuss transfusion practices.
  • Discuss the methods used in the recognition and evaluation of suspected transfusion reactions.
  • Discuss the principles of transfusion therapy, transfusion safety and regulatory considerations.
  • Perform collaborative exercises to support and apply course content.

CSLOs

  • Correlate clinical significance of serologic test results with possible disease states.

  • Evaluate test results and correlate with possible disease states when given patient history and immunohematology laboratory results..

Outline

  1. Define the role of the immune system in relationship to molecules, cells, organs and systems responsible for the recognition and disposal of foreign material.
    1. Discuss and differentiate natural and acquired immunity, roles of lymphocytes in cellular immunity and mechanism of action of immunization/vaccinations.
    2. Illustrate immunoglobin molecules, identify parts and describe structure and function.
    3. Explain the complement cascade and other various antigen and antibody tests in the clinical laboratory and relate these to clinical diagnosis.
    4. Discuss immunological principles and techniques such as: precipitation, hemagglutination, latex agglutination, immunoflourescence, immunodiffusion, neutralization and complement fixation.
  2. Summarize blood banking/Immunohematology principles.
    1. Describe the genetics of common blood group antigens. 
      1. Review basic genetics terminologies.
      2. Describe antigen inheritance and frequencies.
    2. Discuss the principles, uses and factors affecting the Antihuman Globulin Test (AHG).
      1. Differentiate Direct Antihuman Globulin Test (DAT) versus Indirect Antihuman Globulin Test (IAT)
      2. Discuss the significance of positive DAT and IAT.
      3. Discuss factors affecting AHG test and sources of errors.
    3. Discuss the principle and procedures that constitute Pre-Transfusion Testing.
      1. Determine suitability of patient and donor samples.
      2. Discuss the compatibility testing procedures.
      3. Discuss transfusion requirements: patient versus unit attributes.
      4. Describe other transfusion protocols.
    4. Name the antigens of the major Blood Group Systems.
      1. Describe the genetic basis for antigen inheritance for each blood group system.
      2. List the frequencies of the observed phenotypes.
      3. Identify the biochemical nature of the antigens for each blood group system.
      4. Discuss the characteristics of antibodies associated with each blood group system to include clinical significance and special reagents and techniques used in identification or other testing.
    5. Detect and identify common red cell antibodies.
      1. Describe the methods used in antibody identification.
      2. Describe the commonly encountered clinically significant antibodies.
      3. Discuss the process of antibody exclusion and initial specificity assessment.
      4. Differentiate Warm Autoantibodies (WAA) versus Cold Autoantibodies (CAA).
      5. Discuss Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.
      6. Discuss maternal alloimmunization and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN).
  3. Discuss transfusion practices.
    1. Describe the processes of blood donor selection, collection and component preparation.
      1. Discuss donor eligibility criteria.
      2. Describe the process of blood donor selection, collection and component preparation/modification.
      3. Discuss the serological testing performed on donor samples.
  4. Discuss the methods used in the recognition and evaluation of suspected transfusion reactions.
    1. Describe the categories of adverse transfusion reaction and their management.
    2. Discuss the causes of transfusion transmitted diseases.
    3. Describe the standard laboratory investigation of a transfusion reaction.
  5. Discuss the principles of transfusion therapy, transfusion safety and regulatory considerations.
    1. Describe the indications for specific blood components.
    2. Describe the regulatory considerations that ensure transfusion safety.
    3. Discuss the accreditation and inspection process.
  6. Perform collaborative exercises to support and apply course content.
    1. Practice solving antibody panels.
    2. Solve case studies presented.
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