Laboratory Medicine (Diagnostic Techniques) Flashcards
1
Q
List the reasons for requesting laboratory investigations
A
- To inform the clinical decision
- Screening
- Diagnosis
- Confirmation or rejection of clinical diagnosis
- Monitoring
- Natural history or response to treatment
- Prognosis
- Prediction of course or outcome of the disease
2
Q
List some individual laboratory medicine specialities
A
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Microbiology- diagnosis and monitoring response
- Haematology
- Histopathology / Cytopathology
- Genetics
3
Q
Describe the essential information required when taking a sample from a patient
A
Essential • Full ten digit CHI number • Patient’s surname • Patient’s forename • Date of birth • Specimen type • Anatomical site • Investigations required • Date & time of collection • Relevant clinical history Ideal • Patient location • Full name of requesting practitioner • Contact details of practitioner • Patient’s home address • Laboratory specialty sample is being submitted
4
Q
Why is the correct patient information required?
A
- It allows the laboratory to produce the right result, on the right patient, at the right time.
- Allowing clinicians to give the right treatment in a timely manner!
5
Q
Describe the MDT approach involving laboratory medicine for patient care
A
- Medical staff at clinic
- Phlebotomist
- Laboratory staff (Biochemistry, Genetics)
- Genetic counsellor
- Dietician
- Nurse specialist
6
Q
What is POCT?
A
- POCT (point-of-care testing) is laboratory testing performed in the clinical setting by non-laboratory healthcare professionals.
- E.g. blood gases, urine dip sticks, blood glucose tests, urine analysis machines
7
Q
Why is POCT useful?
A
- Improved turnaround time
- Potential for better monitoring of certain conditions
- Smaller sample volumes
- Less clinically invasive
- In some out-patient settings, POCT results can be used to adjust patient’s medication resulting in less frequent clinic appointments
