intro to the lab

subcatergories for clinical chemistry

-general or routine chemistry -endocrinology -Immunology -pharmacology -toxicology

type of departments

-hematology -coagulation -clinical chemistry -urinalysis -Immunology -Immunohematology -microbiology -pathology -cytology

common physician office labs

-urinalysis -hematocrit, hemoglobin -blood cell count -blood glucose -cholestrol -pregnancy -strep throat and mononucleosis

three levels of lab tests defined by CLIA

-waivd -moderate complex -highly complex

CLIA established three levels of testing.

-waived tests -moderate- complexity tests -high-complexity test.

Quality control (QC)

Method to evaluate the proper performance of testing procedures, supplies, or equipment in a laboratory

moderate level tests

Microscopic urinalysis, manual white blood cell count differentials gram staining.

External control

Monitors the test from applying the specimen to result interpretation; controls the performance of the test

Centrifugation

Process of separating blood or other body fluid cells from liquid components using a centrifuge

Melissa Miller must compare lab results with reference intervals each day as part of her medical assisting duties. What are reference intervals, and how are they significant to patient care?

Reference intervals are normal ranges for a healthy population. They are significant in determining the health of body systems or organs.

analytes

Substance or constituent for which a laboratory conducts testing

oncology

The medical treatment of cancer

Product insert

Written product information usually supplied by the manufacturer with each test kit or test system containing instructions and critical details for performing the test; aka package insert

control

a device or solution used to monitor the test to ensure correct test results.

Media

a liquid semisolid or solid nutrient used for growing bacteria from culture specimen

Unitized test device

a self-contained test device to which a specimen is added directly and in which all steps of the testing process occur. A unitized device is used for a single test and must be discarded after testing

cytogenetics

a type of cytology in which the genetic structure of the cells obtained from tissue, blood,or body fluid.

confirmatory tests

an additional, more specific test performed to rule out or confirm a preliminary test result to provide a final result.

quality assurance

an evaluation of health care services as compared to accepted standards.

what is another name for the immunohematology department in a laboratory?

blood bank

whole blood

blood containing all it cellular components.

whole blood

blood containing all its cellular components

non waved testing

complex tests that do not meet the CLIA criteria for waiver and require training and specific quality measures to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.

autoimmunity

condition in which the immune system attacks its own host's body

critical values

considered to be live threatening test results

internal control

control built into the testing device

qualitative

has positive or negative results; not a specified amount.

High complexity test

histopathology, cytology (pap)

Microscope

identifies and counts cells and microbes

physician office laboratory (POL)

laboratory in medical office

panel

laboratory tests organized into standard groups to effectively evaluate disease processes or organ system

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

law passed in 1988 to establish standards for quality of laboratory testing for all facilities

immunodeficiency

parts of the immune system fail to provide an adequate response.

provider

performed microscopy- direct examination of a patient specimen using a microscope

Aliquots

portions of the original patients specimen that have been placed into separate container to be routed to the appropriate laboratory work station for testing.

antigens

protein markers on the surfaces of cells and viruses that help the immune system identify a foreign cell or virus

centrifuge

separation of liquid into components parts

cytology

study of the microscopic structure of cells

Aerosol

suspended particles in gas or air

How does the centrifuge work, what is its purpose?

swings its contents in a circle to separate liquids into their components parts. Centrifugation is the process of separating blood or other body fluid cells from liquid components using a centrifuge.

therapeutic range

test results range the physician wants for the patient.

why would the physician want Melissa miller to record lab test result on a flow sheet?

the flow sheet is used to collect and track data it can assist the physician in providing quality care.

Quantitative

the measuring of an amount

which OSHA standard requires employers to provide gloves for the medical assistant working in POL?

the occupational exposure to Bloodborne pathogens standard requires employers to provide gloves

How does a medical assistant determine when to run quality controls on a test?

the product insert or instrument manual describes the minimum requirement for control testing

Reference interval

the range of laboratory test values expected for healthy individuals.

immunology

the study of antigen-antibody reactions

hematology

the study of blood and blood-forming tubes (WBC, RBC, platelet count,hemaglobin hemoglobin,hematocrit)

immune-hematology

the study of blood typing and compatibility testing for transfusion

Microbiology

the study of pathogens identification and antibiotic susceptibility determination

Coagulation

the study of the blood ability to clot

histology

the study of the microscopic structure of tissues

Toxicology

the study of the presence and measurement of drugs in the blood.

Clinical chemistry

the study of the presence and measurement of substances in the blood.

purpose of a quality assessment (QA)

to prevent problems before they occur and to document procedure when an error or problem is detected

What is the purpose of CLIA

to standardize laboratory testing and enforce quality protocols anywhere tests are performed on patients.

Serum

top liquid layer of a blood specimen if the specimen was allowed to clot.

plasma

top liquid layer of a blood specimen if the specimen was anti coagulated and not allowed to clot.

waived test

urine pregnancy test, urin dipstick

trends

when controls results progressively increase or decrease over time.

Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA)

works to support the health care industry by providing knowledge and resources for mining quality laboratory operations.

Referral laboratory

A range established for test results assumed to be typical for a population asymptomatic for disease process.

specimen

A sample such as blood or urine used for testing to elevate a patients condition.

shifts

A situation in which quality control results make an obvious change in performance levels

chain of custody

Accurate written record to track the possession handling and location of samples and data from collection through reporting.

What POL laboratory duties are performed by MELISSA Miller in the family practice office?

Collecting samples, performing test, managing QC manintaining instruments, keeping accurate records, and reporting results.

reconstitution

Adding water to bring a material back to its liquid state

Anticoagulant

A chemical compound introduced to the blood sample to prevent clotting.

Who is authorized to order a laboratory test on a patient?

A physician, a physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner are the only health care professionals who may order a laboratory test.

Surgical pathology

The primary subspecialty of anatomic pathology. Studies are performed on tissue and body fluid specimens from aspirations, autopsies, biopsies, organ removal, and other procedures to identify or evaluate the effects of cancer and other diseases

calibration

The standardization of any measuring instrument or testing procedure