DNB Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion in India: Check Out NBE Released Curriculum

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released the Curriculum for DNB Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion. 

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Transfusion medicine (Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology) is a diverse and multifaceted discipline.

2. The responsibilities of transfusion medicine physicians in hospital blood transfusion service are more varied than those of most other medical specialties. It includes direct patient care and clinical consultation, medical direction of clinical testing laboratories, supervision of blood component manufacture and storage, inventory management and distribution, and regulatory compliance.

3. The transfusion medicine physician, therefore, must be adept at balancing patient care issues, regulatory standards, manufacturing principles, and resource limitations in meeting patient needs.

4. In the last 20 years, clinical transfusion therapy has evolved from whole blood transfusion to blood components and derivatives. In addition, sophisticated technology now makes it possible to selectively remove blood components from donors or patients by a process called apheresis.

5. While, many choices of blood products have complicated the physician's decision making process, it has also made hemotherapy more specific and effective. It becomes important that DNB students are trained in this specialty so that they are properly equipped to render special consultative service.

6. The purpose of the course is to provide didactic education and practical training in all aspects of blood transfusion technology, to develop the knowledge required to analyze immunohematology problems, to provide expertise in blood center administrative policies such as donor recruitment, collection, storage, preservation, administration of blood and components and to develop those qualities needed for component supervisory and academic responsibilities.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:

1. Programme Objective

It is expected that at the end of the course, the blood transfusion specialist will be specifically equipped for the following tasks.

1. Provide direction to academic blood center with regard to organization of the collection, preparation, storage, distribution and clinical use of blood and components.

2. Promote optimal use of blood products and develop a system for clinical control of their use.

3. Participate in research in blood transfusion medicine and upgrade the scientific knowledge by continuing medical education.

4. Organize training program for manpower development in the field.

2. Programme Goals

1. To impart composite training in fundamental and applied aspects of Transfusion Medicine at postgraduate level leading to degree of DNB in Transfusion Medicine [Immunohematology and blood transfusion].

• To understand the basic principles and concepts presented in the transfusion medicine core curriculum and develop a fund of basic knowledge in the field.

• To recognize problems in clinical medicine those are related to transfusion and apply concepts and principles in the core curriculum to clinical situations.

• To provide appropriate therapeutic solutions to transfusion medicine problems.

2. To provide consultants and teachers in Transfusion Medicine in various medical colleges and institutions for operating a well-organized & efficient transfusion services.

3. To recognize significance of important research in the advancement of transfusion medicine and to impart training and stimulate interest in research in the field of Transfusion Medicine.

4. To recognize motivational, organizational and managerial skills for efficient operation of blood center.

III. TEACHING AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES

The fundamental components of the teaching programme should include:

1. Case presentations & discussion- once a week

2. Seminar - Once a week

3. Journal club- Once a week

4. Grand round presentation (by rotation departments and subspecialties)- once a week

5. Faculty lecture teaching- once a month

6. Clinical Audit-Once a Month

7. A poster and have one oral presentation at least once during their training period in a recognized conference.

The rounds should include bedside sessions, file rounds & documentation of case history and examination, progress notes, round discussions, investigations and management plan) interesting and difficult case unit discussions. The training program would focus on knowledge, skills and attitudes (behavior), all essential components of education. It is being divided into theoretical, clinical and practical in all aspects of the delivery of the rehabilitative care, including methodology of research and teaching.

1. Theoretical: The theoretical knowledge would be imparted to the candidates through discussions, journal clubs, symposia and seminars. The students are exposed to recent advances through discussions in journal clubs. These are considered necessary in view of an inadequate exposure to the subject in the undergraduate curriculum.

2. Symposia: Trainees would be required to present a minimum of 20 topics based on the curriculum in a period of three years to the combined class of teachers and students. A free discussion would be encouraged in these symposia. The topics of the symposia would be given to the trainees with the dates for presentation.

3. Clinical: The trainee would be attached to a faculty member to be able to pick up methods of history taking, examination, prescription writing and management in rehabilitation practice.

4. Bedside: The trainee would work up cases, learn management of cases by discussion with faculty of the department.

5. Journal Clubs: This would be a weekly academic exercise. A list of suggested Journals is given towards the end of this document. The candidate would summarize and discuss the scientific article critically. A faculty member will suggest the article and moderate the discussion, with participation by other faculty members and resident doctors. The contributions made by the article in furtherance of the scientific knowledge and limitations, if any, will be highlighted.

6. Research: The student would carry out the research project and write a thesis/ dissertation in accordance with NBE guidelines. He/ she would also be given exposure to partake in the research projects going on in the departments to learn their planning, methodology and execution so as to learn various aspects of research.

IV. SYLLABUS

1. Immunology and Immunogenetics

i. Level I

• Understand the basic principles of immunoglobulins, antigen, antibody and complements.

• Understand complement activation pathways and their role in transfusion medicine

• Understand the antibody development after immunization and infection.

• Understand the principles of antigen antibody reaction and factors affecting these reactions.

• Understand the antigen systems of formed elements of blood such as red cells, platelets and leukocytes and be able to know their implications in transfusion medicine.

• Understand the principles of structural and functional evaluation of B cells, T cells, NK cells.

• Understand the principles of classification of primary immune deficiency diseases, including defects in humoral immunity, cellular immunity.

• Understand the principles of basic genetics with regard to Mendelian law of inheritance, phenotype / genotype and population genetics.

• Know the nomenclature, organization and polymorphism of the human major histocompatibility complex, including HLA class I, II, and III genes. ii. Level II

• Know the Hybridoma technology and be able to understand its role in Immunohematology

• Understand the role of HLA typing in organ and bone marrow/stem cell transplantation and how HLA antigen mismatching results in allogeneic reactions in recipients.

• Know HLA typing techniques, including serological methods, microcytotoxicity assays, nucleic acid assays and lymphocyte culture techniques.

• Understand the HLA association with disease

2. Physiology of the formed elements of blood and hemostasis

i. Level I

• Understand the basic physiology and biochemistry of red cells, platelets and leukocytes in terms of their kinetics, function and life span

• Understand hemoglobin structure, synthesis, function and degradation.

• Know the membrane structure and function of red cells, platelets and leukocytes and be able to apply their implication in transfusion medicine

• Understand the principles of hemoglobin screening

• Describe iron and bilirubin metabolism

• Understand the physiology of hemostasis with regard role of platelets, coagulation pathway and fibrinolysis

• Understand the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis

• Know the pathophysiology and laboratory features of intravascular and extravascular hemolysis.

• Develop basic understanding of hemostatic and thrombotic disorders:

• Understand the coagulopathy of liver disease;

• Understand the pathophysiology of vitamin K deficiency and antagonism;

• Understand the laboratory evaluation of disseminated intravascular coagulation;

• Understand the pathophysiology of the hemophilias (A, B, and C)

ii. Level II

• Understand hemodynamic of blood flow, estimation of blood volume and be able to interpret the application of radionuclides tagging for blood volume estimation

• Understand the pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenia and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

• Demonstrate competency in taking a bleeding history.

• Understand the general principles & clinical utility of platelet function testing.

• Understand the clinical utility of coagulation and thrombosis testing.

• Understand the general principles of screening coagulation tests (e.g., prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and thrombin time).

• Understand the International Normalized Ratio derivation and its clinical significance.

3. Blood Collection/Blood Center/Component Processing

i. Level I

• Describe the factors that influence the motivation of volunteers to donate blood

• Demonstrate professionalism in interactions with prospective donors.

• Be able to know the clinical relevance of directed donation

• Compare and contrast the eligibility requirements for allogeneic, autologous & apheresis blood donations.

• Understand various types of autologous blood collection and their application in clinical transfusion service

• Demonstrate proficiency in collection of whole blood with regard to preparation of phlebotomy site, proper volume and sample collection

• Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating and treating adverse reactions associated with blood donation/phlebotomy (whole blood and apheresis donations).

• Understand the factors influencing quality of blood bag for whole blood collection

• Demonstrate the proficiency in organization of outdoor blood donation camp and be able mto understand importance of cold chain maintenance.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the indications for therapeutic phlebotomy.

• Outline the assay principles of required donor blood tests such as donor Hb for whole blood donation and platelet count for plateletpheresis and the associated confirmatory testing and describe donor re-entry algorithms.

• Understand the process of platelepheresis

• Summarize the steps in blood component preparation by different methods

• Know various factors affecting the quality of blood components

• Understand the significance of storage of blood components at appropriate temperature and demonstrate proficiency in compatibility, labeling requirements of various components.

ii. Level II

• Outline the necessary steps in donor notification and counseling associated with positive infectious disease testing results, and the donor look-back process.

• Understand various modifications of blood components such as irradiation, cell washing, volume depletion and leuko depletion.

• Demonstrate proficiency in selection of apheresis machine, blood donor and beable to obtain apheresis product meeting quality standards.

• Demonstrate proficiency in maintaining quality of blood components as per recommended standards by various agencies (AABB, EC, DCI).

• Understand process of plasma fractionation and summarize critical steps in preparation such as pooling, viral inactivation.

4. Therapeutic Apheresis

i. Level I

• Summarize the principles of apheresis technology, including centrifugation, filtration, and immunoadsorption.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the indications for therapeutic apheresis and of the appropriate replacement fluids to be used in various situations.

• Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating and preparing patients for therapeutic apheresis, including discussion with the patient of the risks and benefits associated with apheresis procedures.

• Communicate effectively with clinicians regarding emergent or scheduled therapeutic apheresis procedures through conversations and writing of consult notes.

ii. Level II

• Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating and treating adverse reactions associated with therapeutic apheresis.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the treatment of patients using specialized methods (e.g., photopheresis and immunoadsorption columns).

5. Transfusion transmitted infection serology

i. Level I

• Understand the typical time course of appearance and disappearance of serum antigens and antibodies used in screening of major transfusiuon transmitted infection, including: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, bacterial / fungal / protozoal infections and syphilis,

• Understand and be able to interpret nontreponemal and treponemal antibody tests used to diagnose syphilis.

• Compare & contrast various methodologies such as ELISA, rapid & chemiluminescence used in screening of transfusion transmitted infections

• Demonstrate proficiency in proper disposal of bio hazardous material as per recommended standards.

ii. Level II

• Understand the feasibility of NAT in Indian blood transfusion services

• Demonstrate proficiency in the preparation and use of internal control in transfusion transmitted infection screening.

6. Clinical Transfusion Service

i. Level I

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of patient/ unit identification and pretransfusion testing, including ABO/Rh testing, RBC antibody screen, and antibody identification.

• Compare and contrast conventional cross matching versus type and screen using various advanced technologies such as gel, solid phase, and column agglutination.

• Recognize the symptoms and signs of hemolytic and nonhemolytic transfusion reactions and demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of these complications.

• Identify the major noninfectious complications of blood transfusions, including red cell alloimmunization, transfusion-related acute lung injury, transfusion associated graft versus host disease, volume overload, post transfusion purpura, iron overload etc and the risk of these complications, and strategies to prevent them.

• Choose appropriate blood components and derivatives based on a thorough knowledge of the indications for transfusion.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Recognize those antibodies in pregnant patients that are clinically significant and make appropriate recommendations for blood products.

• Demonstrate proficiency in preparation and transfusion of blood for intra uterine transfusion / exchange transfusion.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the evaluation and appropriate transfusion therapy of thrombocytopenic patients (both adult and pediatric).

• Apply the principles of a massive transfusion protocol.

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles of hemostasis and coagulation and proficiency in the initial treatment of patients with bleeding disorders.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the transfusion requirements of special patient populations (e.g., hematology/ oncology, pediatrics, thalassemia, transplantation, cardiac surgery and burn/trauma).

ii. Level II

• Identify clinically significant RBC antibodies from an antibody panel including multiple alloantibodies and mixtures of alloantibodies and autoantibodies; determine how difficult it will be to obtain blood for this patient, and effectively communicate these results to clinicians.

• Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating and recommending treatment plans for complex transfusion reactions.

• Demonstrate familiarity with the appropriate use of highly specialized blood products (e.g., granulocytes, donor lymphocyte infusions, HLA-matched platelets, and coagulation factor concentrates).

• Demonstrate familiarity with the requirements of all applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies [e.g., DCI, NABH].

• Demonstrate competence in the management of blood inventory and the ability to communicate effectively the hospital's needs to the blood supplier.

• Demonstrate knowledge of various methods of blood conservation, including pre- and perioperative autologous blood collection, and approaches to "bloodless" surgery.

• Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating patient's refractory to platelet transfusions. Outline the principles of histocompatibility testing and platelet cross-matching and apply this knowledge in selecting appropriate platelet products when indicated.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the evaluation of patients with immune-mediated and non- immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and in the appropriate transfusion management of these patients.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including collection, processing, and storage of these stem cell products, and the indications for use (e.g., bone marrow, peripheral blood, and cord blood).

• Develop an understanding of emerging areas of cellular therapy, including hematopoietic graft engineering and cellular immunotherapeutics.

• Develop and understanding of blood substitutes and hematopoietic agents.

7. Regulatory Skills /Quality Assurance/ Quality Control in blood transfusion

i. Level I

• Demonstrate knowledge concerning the requirements of all applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies. [e.g., DCI, NABH, AABB].

• Become familiar with the patient / blood donor privacy and data security requirements, including the use of institutional review board (IRB) protocols for conducting clinical research.

• Understand training, certification, licensing, and competency assessment standards for transfusion laboratory professionals, including medical laboratory technicians.

• Understand the importance of a comprehensive transfusion laboratory safety policy and program.

• Understand how SOPs are used, developed, authored, and reviewed and their importance in mandatory laboratory inspection by various accrediting agencies.

• Understand the role of quality assurance, quality management, and process improvement principles in laboratory operation and planning.

• Be able to understand proper use of instrumentation and computerization in a transfusion laboratory.

ii. Level II

• Understand the role of risk management in the transfusion laboratory and become familiar with the nature of, patient safety initiatives, and forensic testing such as paternity testing.

• Compare and contrast the various means of performing blood utilization reviews.

• Explain the logistics required in determining appropriate blood inventory for a geographic region and the process of meeting daily, weekly and monthly collection goals.

• Demonstrate understanding of the elements of current good manufacturing practices as they apply to the collection, processing, and storage of all blood components / products

• Understand the principles & objectives of total quality management in transfusion service including premises, personnel, instruments / reagents, biosafety and external / internal quality control.

• Know fundamental concepts of medical statistics.

• Understand principles of specimen collection (e.g., phlebotomy technique, safety, and specimen tubes) and specimen processing.

• Recognize sources of preanalytical variation and the role of biological variability in laboratory assessment.

8. Additional Competencies Specific To Transfusion Medicine

Patient Care

• • Correctly classify transfusion reactions and give appropriate treatment recommendations.

• Choose appropriate cross-matching methods for various patients (e.g., electronic, immediate spin, and antiglobulin).

• Recognize and appropriately refer serological evaluations that are beyond the scope of a hospital-based transfusion service/blood bank.

• Correctly choose (or recommend) the appropriate blood product for patients with special needs.

• Triage and screen requests for blood components appropriately during inventory shortages.

• Demonstrate the ability to perform blood utilization reviews.

• Perform a donor interview and exam.

• Evaluate and perform initial management of whole blood and apheresis donor reactions.

• Write physician orders for peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell collections and therapeutic apheresis procedures.

• Appropriately manage reactions that occur during peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell collections or therapeutic apheresis procedures.

• Be able to apply recent developments in the field from research to clinical practice such as gene therapy, proteomics, microarray etc.

 Medical Knowledge

• Demonstrate understanding of and ability to interpret major regulations and guidelines that are applicable to collection, processing, storage, and release of blood and other cellular therapeutic products.

• Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

• Demonstrate the ability to develop new policies and procedures or change existing policies and procedures based on a review of the literature or issuance of new guidelines by regulatory agencies.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Demonstrate the ability to discuss the process of therapeutic apheresis with patients, and/or family members where appropriate; answer their questions; and obtain informed consent.

Note:

Skill I = corresponds roughly to the types of activities and responsibilities that a first- and/or second-year DNB student would be engaged in, that is, the level of achievement to be attained during the student's first exposure to the discipline as a postgraduate

Skill II = corresponds to the achievements expected of a third year DNB student that is, the higher level of responsibility and expertise that one would acquire and consolidate during repeat exposure to the discipline.

Theoretical training

Didactic lectures

Typical examples of transfusion medicine didactic lectures