Orientation to the Lab Flashcards
What is CLIA?
Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments
What is the CLIA for?
improves lab accuracy
- determines complexity of testing performed in a medical setting
- ensures quality assurance
- quality control procedures are taken
What tests can MAs perform?
CLIA-WAIVED testing only
What is the reference laboratory?
- located outside the practice
- has more technological resources
- frees staff from patient care duties
What is the physician’s office laboratory? (POL)
- quicker turnaround
- eliminates need for patient travel
What are examples of CLIA-WAIVED tests?
- Urine testing
- certain blood tests
- fecal/stool testing
- saliva tests
- nasal smears
- vaginal smears
- throat swabs
- semen tests
- rapid strep testing
- mononucleosis testing
- drug testing
What does the autoclave do?
sterilizes instruments
What does centrifuge do?
spins and separates blood and urine specimens
What equipment is used in a POL?
- autoclave
- centrifuge
- urine analyzer
- test kits
- point of care machines
- microscopes by providers
What are examples of quantitative tests?
- glucometer (glucose)
- hemocue (hemoglobin)
- PT/INR (coagulation)
What are examples of qualitative tests?
- urine tests
- strep testing
- influenza testing
What is ICD-10 coding information?
code strictly from the patient chart
- verify with provider if necessary
What information should be labeled on specimens?
- patient name
- date of collection
- time of collection
- patient’s date of birth
- initials of collection person
What are normal ranges for hemoglobin in males? In females?
M: 13-18 g/dl
F: 12-16 g/dl
What are the normal ranges for hematocrit in males and females?
M: 42-52%
F: 36-48%
