Haematology Laboratory Testing Course

Lesson 1 • Specimen Collection and Handling

Teaches venepuncture technique, anticoagulant selection, and pre-analytical error prevention. Proper specimen integrity is the prerequisite for accurate haematology results.

Lesson 2 • Laboratory Equipment and Instrumentation Overview

Introduces microscopes, automated analysers, centrifuges, and pipettes used in haematology. Familiarity with equipment types prepares students for hands-on operation in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Haematology Laboratory Safety Standards

Addresses bloodborne pathogen risks, personal protective equipment, and biohazard disposal. Compliance with universal precautions is mandatory before any bench work begins.

Lesson 4 • Blood Composition and Cellular Biology

Covers erythrocytes, leucocytes, and thrombocytes: structure, function, and lifespan. Provides the cellular basis needed to interpret all downstream test results.

Lesson 1 • Manual Cell Counting Techniques

Teaches haemocytometer use and manual differential counting as backup and verification methods. Manual skills validate automated data and support low-resource settings.

Lesson 2 • FBC Parameters and Reference Intervals

Defines each FBC parameter, its measurement principle, and age- and sex-specific reference ranges. Understanding normal values is essential for flagging abnormal results.

Lesson 3 • Automated Analyser Operation

Covers impedance, light-scatter, and fluorescence detection technologies used in modern FBC analysers. Correct operation ensures reproducible, high-throughput results.

Lesson 4 • Instrument Flags and Delta Checks

Explains morphology flags, suspect flags, and delta check criteria generated by analysers. Students learn to triage flagged results for manual film review.

Lesson 1 • Special Staining Methods

Introduces supravital stains, Prussian blue iron stain, and periodic acid-Schiff for targeted cell identification. Special stains extend diagnostic capability beyond routine Wright-Giemsa.

Lesson 2 • Slide Quality Assessment

Teaches criteria for acceptable film thickness, stain intensity, and monolayer zone identification. Rejecting poor-quality slides prevents misdiagnosis from preparation artefacts.

Lesson 3 • Blood Film Preparation Techniques

Covers wedge-push and coverslip methods, optimal blood volume, and angle control. Consistent technique produces a monolayer zone suitable for cell examination.

Lesson 1 • Size and Colour Abnormalities

Covers microcytosis, macrocytosis, hypochromia, and hyperchromia with associated clinical causes. Size and colour changes are the first morphological clues to nutritional and haemolytic disorders.

Lesson 2 • Inclusions and Parasites in RBCs

Covers Howell-Jolly bodies, Pappenheimer bodies, basophilic stippling, and intraerythrocytic parasites. Inclusion recognition guides urgent clinical decisions and infection management.

Lesson 3 • Shape Abnormalities and Poikilocytosis

Identifies sickle cells, target cells, schistocytes, elliptocytes, and acanthocytes with their diagnostic significance. Each shape variant points to specific underlying pathophysiology.

Lesson 4 • Anaemia Classification and Correlation

Applies RBC indices and morphology to classify anaemias as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic. Students construct a systematic approach to anaemia workup using laboratory data.

Lesson 1 • Leucocytosis and Leucopenia Evaluation

Analyses causes of elevated and decreased WBC counts, including infection, drug effects, and bone marrow suppression. Students apply differential patterns to narrow clinical diagnoses.

Lesson 2 • Reactive and Toxic Changes

Covers toxic granulation, Döhle bodies, vacuolisation, and reactive lymphocytes associated with infection and inflammation. These changes alert clinicians to systemic stress responses.

Lesson 3 • Leucocyte Inclusions and Anomalies

Identifies Auer rods, Pelger-Huët anomaly, Chédiak-Higashi granules, and May-Hegglin bodies. Recognising these findings distinguishes hereditary anomalies from acquired malignant changes.

Lesson 4 • Blast Identification and Leukaemia Screening

Teaches blast morphology, blast percentage reporting, and criteria for urgent physician notification. Early blast recognition is critical for timely leukaemia diagnosis and treatment.

Lesson 1 • Haemoglobin Structure and Variants

Reviews normal haemoglobin types, globin chain composition, and the genetic basis of structural variants. This structural knowledge underpins interpretation of all haemoglobin separation methods.

Lesson 2 • Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Methods

Covers alkaline and acid cellulose acetate electrophoresis principles, migration patterns, and band identification. Electrophoresis remains the reference method for haemoglobin variant separation.

Lesson 3 • Sickle Cell and Solubility Testing

Teaches sodium dithionite solubility test principles, limitations, and confirmatory testing requirements. Solubility testing screens for HbS but cannot distinguish trait from disease.

Lesson 4 • HPLC for Haemoglobin Analysis

Explains cation-exchange HPLC chromatogram interpretation, retention times, and percentage quantification. HPLC provides high-resolution separation and is the preferred neonatal screening method.

Lesson 1 • Platelet Morphology and Estimation

Covers normal platelet size, granularity, and film estimation methods to verify automated counts. Morphological assessment detects giant platelets, clumping, and satellitism artefacts.

Lesson 2 • Coagulation Pathway Fundamentals

Reviews intrinsic, extrinsic, and common coagulation pathways and their laboratory correlates. Pathway knowledge is the foundation for interpreting PT, aPTT, and mixing studies.

Lesson 3 • Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time

Covers aPTT principle, heparin monitoring, and mixing study interpretation for factor deficiency versus inhibitor. aPTT results direct heparin dosing and haemophilia workup.

Lesson 4 • Fibrinogen, D-Dimer, and Thrombin Time

Addresses fibrinogen quantification, D-dimer assay principles, and thrombin time for DIC and fibrinolysis evaluation. These tests complete the coagulation panel for complex bleeding disorders.

Lesson 1 • Flow Cytometry Principles and Applications

Covers light-scatter parameters, fluorochrome-conjugated antibody panels, and gating strategies for leukaemia immunophenotyping. Flow cytometry extends morphological findings to definitive lineage assignment.

Lesson 2 • Bone Marrow Aspirate Correlation

Teaches bone marrow cellularity assessment, differential counting, and correlation with peripheral blood findings. Marrow evaluation confirms or expands diagnoses suggested by peripheral film.

Lesson 3 • Integrated Case Interpretation

Applies FBC, morphology, coagulation, and immunophenotyping data to solve complex haematology cases. Students develop systematic diagnostic reasoning across all core testing domains.

Lesson 4 • Thrombophilia and Hypercoagulability Testing

Addresses protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and factor V Leiden testing for thrombotic risk assessment. Correct test timing and anticoagulant interference avoidance are critical for accuracy.