TECH125-0307: Transfusion Medicine

INSTRUCTOR:
Lindan Spromberg, LVT, BS, VTS (ECC)

DATES:
March 29-May 5, 2007
Real Time Sessions: Wednesday evenings; April 4, 11, 18 and 25; 10:00pm-11:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to help veterinary support staff better understand the different aspects of transfusion medicine. All of the when's, the how's, and the why's will be covered from blood typing and component therapy to how to recognize a transfusion reaction.

All members of the veterinary support staff are encouraged to join; however, the course is focused towards technicians and experienced assistants. This course is designed for these staff members to have a better understanding of the basics of crossmatching, blood typing, collection and storage of blood, component therapy, transfusion reactions and emergencies. This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. identify the different blood types in a dog and cat.
2. be able to perform a crossmatch.
3. properly collect blood from a dog and a cat.
4. correctly store the different blood components from a dog and cat.
5. administer the proper blood component to their patients.
6. recognize a transfusion reaction.
7. assist in treating the different types of transfusion reactions.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required text for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week #1:
Introduction to blood antigens and blood typing
In the first session, the student will get a basic knowledge of red cell morphology, blood type antigens, and blood types in both the dog and cat. Students will learn blood typing techniques and crossmatching techniques.

Week #2:
Collection and Storage
The week two session will cover basic blood collection of blood from dogs and cats. We will discuss how to collect and store all forms of blood products and the different types of additives used during collection and storage. Common myths about storage will also be covered.

Week #3:
Component therapy and administration
What, when, where and why to administer each blood component is vital knowledge to properly treat your critical patient. A general knowledge of whole blood, plasma and packed red blood cells will be covered in this session. The course will also cover in detail how to properly administer all forms of blood products.

Week #4:
Transfusion reactions and emergencies
All four types of reactions will be covered in this session. What their clinical signs are and how to recognize them before they become life threatening emergencies. We will also discuss what to do if a transfusion reaction occurs.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6 (RACE applied for)

TUITION:
$111 ($100.00 early bird special if registered before March 15, 2007).
Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status)
*VT students: You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm

**For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:
How to's of online CE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/VSPN_M02233.htm
Policies and Procedures: https://www.vin.com/Members/VSPN/Library/Misc/VSPN_M06292.htm

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
5. VIN Member veterinarians ARE ELIGIBLE to take this course, we are requesting RACE accreditation for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. **Please access the course enrollment through www.vspn.org/CE.

Note: "This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Ginger Sanders (Ginger@vspn.org), ext 183
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881

**For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.