HEMATOLOGY AND BLOOD TRANSFUSION SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS

Hematology is the study of the cells and proteins found in blood. A diagnostic hematology laboratory is usually divided up into four main areas:
Routine hematology – full blood examinations, morphology + other tests.
Coagulation – testing for the proteins and cells involved in clotting.
Blood bank – blood and blood product transfusions.
Special tests – performed only when required.
THERE ARE THREE MAIN TYPES OF CELLS IN YOUR BLOOD:
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) transport oxygen around your body and remove waste products and carbon dioxide.
White blood cells (leucocytes) are responsible for fighting infections and invading pathogens (e.g. viruses or bacteria).
Platelets (thrombocytes) that help your blood clot if you are bleeding.
In the laboratory we use microscopes, experiments and hi-tech laser analyzers to detect changes in the number of these cells. The way they look, as well as changes in the concentration of proteins, can then be used to diagnose disease. For example, people who have leukemia usually have an increase in the number of white blood cells, as well as changes in the way they look under the microscope.

Hematology also includes compatibility testing for blood transfusions. Before a patient can be transfused with blood or blood products we need to know what blood group they are so that they can be transfused with the correct products or blood. If we don’t do this testing before the patient is transfused there is a chance a reaction could occur and these can kill a patient.
Coagulation testing is another important section of the hematology laboratory. Here the patient’s blood can be tested to diagnose clotting disorders like DVT (deep vein thrombosis), bleeding disorders like Hemophilia and to monitor patients who are taking anticoagulant drugs like warfarin or heparin (to prevent blood clotting).
Once we have worked out if there is anything wrong with a patient we can tell the doctor. Laboratories will send out a report of all of the patient’s test results and the treating doctor will then use this information to work out how sick the patient is and, how they will treat the patient e.g. does the patient need to go to hospital, or need antibiotics, or to go and see a specialist or should they go home to bed and rest for a few days.