Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry

Question 1

How can we identify and investigate diseases?

Answer 1

Abnormality or incorrect functioning - signs, symptoms

Question 2

How are changes investiagted?

Answer 2

Change in blood cells - Haematology
Changes in tissues - cellular pathology
Micro-organisms - medical microbiology
Biochemical changes - clinical Biochemistry

Question 3

What is Clinical Biochemistry

Answer 3

Is concerned with the diagnosis and management of disease by analysis of biochemical constituents in blood, urine and other biological fluids

Question 4

How can we investigate Biochemical disorders?

Answer 4

Investigation needs a good understanding of normal biochemical processes and physiology
Identifying/ measuring different analysis
Can arise due to a number of different factors

Question 5

The Biochemical Lab

Answer 5

Highly automated, high throughput - vast number of tests per year
Personnel - consultant medical staff etc.

Question 6

Clinical Samples

Answer 6

Collected from patients
Analyte - substance tested for/detected in the sample
Types of samples - blood, urine etc.
Samples requirement must be met and the sample prepared, stored and processed etc.

Question 7

Sample requirements

Answer 7

Volume collected
Patient diet/ fasting
Time of sample
How sample is persevered, transported etc.
Samples are affixed with - name, date, time of sampling, patient identifier

Question 8

Request form (what it contains)

Answer 8

Patient name
Adress
Hospital number
D.O.B
Time & date of sampling
Request for sample

Question 9

Sample reception

Answer 9

Transported in secure packaging
Sample arrive - identified, sorted, prepared
Sample check against forms

Question 10

Samples consideration and storage

Answer 10

Samples stored in accordance with local requirements

Question 11

Types of laboratory area/testing

Answer 11

Core, Specialised, Emergency, Point of Care Testing (POTC)

Question 12

Core Laboratory

Answer 12

Perform majority of testing
Contain chemistry and immunoassay analysers

Question 13

Specialist laboratory

Answer 13

Often requires specialist techniques, experience and equipment
May be through a regional service

Question 14

Emergency laboratory

Answer 14

24/7 service
Contain analyser similar to core lab
may contain osmometer and blood gas analyser
rapid turnaround

Question 15

Health and safety in the lab

Answer 15

Pathogens in samples
Waste disposal
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Risk Assessments (RA), Training
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Question 16

Point of care testing (POCT)

Answer 16

Near - patient testing. beside testing
Undertaken in close proximity to the patient
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Question 17

Point of care testing (POCT)

Answer 17

Near - patient testing. beside testing
Undertaken in close proximity to the patient