Unit 1 - Intro to the Clinical Lab (vocab) Flashcards
1
Q
accessioning
A
the process by which specimens are logged in, labeled, and assigned a specimen identification code
2
Q
accreditation
A
a voluntary process in which an independent agency grants recognition to institutions or programs that meet or exceed established standards of quality
3
Q
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
A
international association that sets blood bank standards, accredits blood banks, and promotes high standards of quality
4
Q
anticoagulent
A
a chemical or substance that prevents blood coagulation
5
Q
bacteriology
A
the study of bacteria
6
Q
blood bank
A
clinical laboratory department where blood components are tested and stored until needed for transfusion; immunohematology department; transfusion services; also the refrigerated unit used for storing blood components
7
Q
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
A
central laboratory for the national public health system
8
Q
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
A
the agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible for implementing CLIA ‘88
9
Q
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
A
an international, nonprofit organization that establishes guidelines and standards of best current practice for clinical laboratories; formerly National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS)
10
Q
clinical chemistry
A
the laboratory section that uses chemical principles to analyze blood and other body fluids
11
Q
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ‘88)
A
a federal act that specifies minimum performance standards for clinical laboratories
12
Q
coagulation
A
the process of forming a fibrin clot
13
Q
College of American Pathologists (CAP)
A
organization that offers accreditation to clinical laboratories
14
Q
COLA
A
agency that offers accreditation to physician office laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities; formerly the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation
15
Q
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
A
the governmental agency that oversees public healthcare matters; also called HHS
16
Q
electronic health record (EHR)
A
comprehensive, portable electronic patient health record
17
Q
electronic medical record (EMR)
A
a digital form of a patient chart created in a physician’s office or a hospital where a patient received treatment
18
Q
epidemiology
A
the study of the factors that cause disease and determine disease frequency and distribution
19
Q
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A
the division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of foods, drugs, biological products, medical devices, and cosmetics
20
Q
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
A
see Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
21
Q
hematology
A
the study of blood and the blood-forming tissues
22
Q
HIPAA
A
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
23
Q
immunohematology
A
the study of the human blood groups; in the clinical laboratory, often called blood banking or transfusion services
24
Q
immunology
A
the branch of medicine encompassing the study of the immune processes and immunity
25
Joint Commission (JC)
an independent agency that accredits hospitals and large healthcare facilities; formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
26
microbiology
the branch of biology dealing with microbes
27
mycology
the study of fungi
28
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS)
see Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
29
pathologist
a physician specially trained in the nature and cause of disease
30
phlebotomist
a healthcare worker trained in blood collection
31
physician office laboratory (POL)
small medical laboratory located within a physician office, group practice, or clinic
32
plasma
the liquid portion of blood in which the blood cells are suspended; the straw-colored liquid remaining after blood cells are removed from anticoagulated blood
33
point-of-care testing (POCT)
testing outside the traditional laboratory setting; also called bedside testing, off-site testing, near-patient testing or alternative-site testing
34
proficiency testing (PT)
a program in which a laboratory's accuracy in performing analyses is evaluated at regular intervals and compared to the performance of similar laboratories
35
Provider-Performed Microscopy Procedure (PPMP)
a certificate category under CLIA '88 that permits a laboratory to perform waived tests and also permits specified practitioners to perform on-site microscopy procedures
36
quality assessment (QA)
in the laboratory, a program that monitors the total testing process with the aim of providing the highest-quality patient care
37
reference laboratory
an independent regional laboratory that offers routine and specialized testing services to hospitals and physicians
38
serology
the study of antigens and antibodies in serum using immunological methods; laboratory testing based on the immunological properties of serum
39
serum
the liquid portion obtained from blood that has been allowed to clot
40
standard operating procedure (SOP)
established procedure to be followed for a given operation or in a given situation with the purpose of ensuring that a procedure is always carried out correctly and in the same manner
41
virology
the study of viruses
42
waived test
a category of test defined under CLIA '88 as being simple to perform and having an insignificant risk for error
43
American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
professional society and credentialing agency for medical assistants
44
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
professional society and credentialing agency for several categories of medical laboratory personnel
45
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
professional society for clinical/medical laboratory personnel
46
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
professional society for clinical/medical laboratory personnel and allied health personnel
47
American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)
professional society and credentialing agency for phlebotomists, as well as credentialing agency for specialty areas such as point-of-care technician
48
ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP BOC)
a separate body within the ASCP organizational structure, formed in 2009 by merging NCA with the ASCP BOR and providing certification for medical laboratory personnel
49
clinical laboratory science
the health profession concerned with performing laboratory analyses used in diagnosing and treating disease, as well as in maintaining good health; synonymous with medical laboratory science and medical (laboratory) technology
50
clinical laboratory scientist (CLS)
the NCA term for a professional who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, has completed clinical training in an accredited clinical/medical laboratory science program, and has passed a national certifying examination; also called medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or medical technologist (MT)
51
clinical laboratory technician (CLT)
the NCA term for a professional who has completed a minimum of 2 years of specific training in an accredited clinical/medical laboratory technician program and has passed a national certifying examination; also called medical laboratory technician (MLT)
52
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
agency that accredits educational programs for allied health personnel; formerly CAHEA
53
ethics
a system of conduct or behavior; rules of professional conduct
54
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
1996 act of Congress, a part in which guarantees protection of privacy of an individual's health information
55
medical laboratory science
the health profession concerned with performing laboratory analyses used in diagnosing and treating disease, as well as in maintaining good health; synonymous with clinical laboratory science and medical (laboratory) technology
56
medical laboratory scientist (MLS)
a professional who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, has completed clinical training in an accredited medical laboratory science program, and has passed a national certifying examination; synonymous with medical technologist (MT) or NCA certified clinical laboratory scientist (CLS)
57
medical laboratory technician (MLT)
a professional how has completed a minimum of 2 years of specific training in an accredited medical laboratory technician program and has passed a national certifying examination; synonymous with NCA certified clinical laboratory technician (CLT)
58
medical technologist (MT)
a term gradually being replaced but referring to the professions of medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or clinical laboratory scientist (CLS)
59
medical technology
synonymous for clinical laboratory science and medical laboratory science
60
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
agency that accredits educational programs for clinical laboratory personnel
61
National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA)
a credentialing agency for clinical laboratory personnel that merged with the ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) in 2009 to form the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC)
62
National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
professional society and credentialing agency for phlebotomists
63
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
a form of severe immunodeficiency caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
64
aerosol
liquid in the form of a very fine mist
65
alimentary tract
the digestive tube from the mouth to the anus
66
antiseptic
a chemical used on living tissues to control the growth of infectious agents
67
biohazard
risk or hazard to health or the environment from biological agents
68
biological safety cabinet
a special work cabinet that provides protection to the worker while working with infectious microorganisms
69
bloodborne pathogens (BBP)
pathogens that ban be present in human blood (and blood-contaminated body fluids)
70
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard
OSHA guidelines for preventing occupational exposure to pathogens present in human blood and body fluids, including, but not limited to, HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV); final OSHA standard of December 6, 1991, effective March 6, 1992
71
community-acquired infection (CAI)
infection acquired through contact with friends, family, and the public or by contact with contaminated environmental surfaces
72
disinfectant
a chemical used on inanimate objects to kill or inactivate microbes
73
engineering control
use of available technology and equipment to protect the worker from hazards
74
exposure control plan
a plan identifying employees at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens and providing training in methods to prevent exposure
75
exposure incident
an accident, such as a needlestick, in which an individual is exposed to possible infection through contact with body substances from another individual
76
hand antisepsis
decontamination of hands using antiseptic soap or waterless antiseptic handrub
77
hand hygiene
a set of techniques that includes handwashing with soap and water, washing with antiseptic soap, or cleansing with a waterless antiseptic product
78
healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
infection acquired while being treated for another condition in a healthcare setting; synonym for healthcare-acquired infection; formerly called nosocomial infection
79
hepatitis B virus (HBV)
the virus that causes hepatitis B infection and is transmitted by contact with infected blood or other body fluids
80
hepatitis C virus (HCV)
the virus that causes hepatitis C infection and is transmitted by contact with infected blood or other body fluids
81
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
the retrovirus that has been identified as the cause of AIDS
82
isolation
the practice of limited the movement and social contact of a patient who is potentially infectious or who must be protected from exposure to infectious agents; quarantine
83
other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
any and all body fluids, tissues, organs, or other specimens from a human source
84
parenteral
any route other than by the alimentary canal; intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or mucosal
85
pathogenic
capable of causing damage or injury to the host
86
personnel protective equipment (PPE)
specialized clothing or equipment used by workers to protect from direct exposure to blood or other potentially infectious or hazardous materials; includes, but is not limited to, gloves, laboratory apparel, eye protection, and breathing apparatus
87
Standard Precautions
a set of comprehensive safety guidelines designed to protect patients and healthcare workers by requiring that all patients and all body fluids, body substances, organs, and unfixed tissues be regarded as potentially infectious
88
sterilization
the act of eliminating all living microorganisms from an article or area
89
Transmission-Based Precautions
specific safety practices used in addition to Standard Precautions when treating patients known to be or suspected of being infected with pathogens that can be spread by air, droplet, or contact
90
Universal Precautions (UP)
a method of infection control in which all human blood and other body fluids containing visible blood are treated as if infectious
91
work practice controls
methods of performing tasks that reduce the worker's exposure to blood and other potentially hazardous materials
92
autoclave
an instrument that uses pressurized steam for sterilization
93
carcinogen
a substance with the potential to produce cancer in humans or animals
94
caustic
a chemical substance having the ability to burn or destroy tissue
95
centrifuge
instrument with a rotor that rotates at high speeds in a closed chamber
96
chemical hygiene plan
comprehensive written safety plan detailing the proper use and storage of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
97
fume hood
a device that draws contaminated air out of an area and either cleanses and recirculates it or discharges it to the outside
98
material safety data sheet (MSDS)
written safety information that must be supplied by manufacturers of chemicals and hazardous materials
99
mutagen
a substance or agent, such as radiation, certain chemicals, or some viruses, that causes a stable change in a gene that can then be passed on to offspring
100
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
federal agency responsible for workplace safety research and that makes recommendations for preventing work-related illness and injury
101
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act)
congressional act of 1970 created to help reduce on-the-job illnesses, injuries, and deaths requiring employers to provide safe working conditions
102
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
the federal agency that creates workplace safety regulations and enforces the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
103
personal protective equipment (PPE)
specialized clothing or equipment used by workers to protect from direct exposure to blood or other potentially infectious or hazardous materials
104
radioisotope
an unstable form of an element that emits radiation and can be incorporated into diagnostic tests, medical therapies, and biomedical research; radioactive isotope
105
teratogen
a substance or agent capable of causing birth defects by direct harm to a fetus or embryo, or by interfering with normal fetal development
106
autoclave
a device that uses pressurized steam for sterilization
107
beaker
a wide-mouthed, straight-sided container with a pouring spout formed from the rim and used to make measurements
108
borosilicate glass
nonreactive glass with high thermal resistance commonly used to make high-quality labware
109
centrifuge
an instrument with a rotor that rotates at high speeds in a closed chamber
110
critical measurements
measurements made with the accuracy of the concentration of a solution is important; measurements made using glassware manufactured to strict standards
111
flask
a container with an enlarged body and a narrow neck
112
flint glass
inexpensive glass with low resistance to heat and chemicals
113
graduated cylinder
an upright, straight-sided container with a flared base and a volume scale
114
labware
article(s) or container(s) intended for laboratory use
115
meniscus
the curved upper surface of a liquid in a container
116
microfuge
a centrifuge that spins microcentrifuge tubes at high rates of speed; microcentrifuge
117
National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
a federal agency that promotes international standardization of measurements; formerly the National Bureau of Standards
118
noncritical measurements
estimated measurements; measurements made in containers that estimate volume (such as beakers)
119
pH
a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration expressing the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
120
pipet
a slender calibrated tube used for measuring and transferring liquids
121
polyethylene
plastic polymer of ethylene used for containers
122
polypropylene
lightweight plastic polymer that resists moisture and solvents and withstands heat sterilization
123
polystyrene
clear, colorless polymer of styrene used for labware
124
quartz glass
expensive glass with excellent light transmission; glass used for cuvettes; silica glass
125
reagent
substance or solution used in laboratory analyses; substance involved in a chemical reaction
126
rotor
the part of a centrifuge that holds the tubes and rotates during the operation of the centrifuge
127
serological centrifuge
a centrifuge that holds the tubes such as those used in blood banking; serofuge
128
solute
the substance dissolved in a given solution
129
solvent
a dissolving agent, usually a liquid
130
tare
in chemical analysis, a determination of the net weight of a chemical by subtracting the weight of the container from the overall weight of the container and the chemical being weighed
131
Celsius (C) scale
temperature scale having the freezing point of water at 0 degrees C and the boiling point at 100 degrees C
132
centi-
prefix used to indicate one-hundredth (10^-2) of a unit
133
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
an international institute composed of representatives from government, industry, and patient-testing professions that develops and publishes standards and guidelines for regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies; formerly the National Committee for Clinical and Laboratory Standards (NCCLS)
134
deci-
prefix used to indicate one-tenth (10^-1) of a unit
135
English system of measurement
system of measurement in common use in the United States for nonscientific measurement; sometimes called the US customary system
136
Fahrenheit (F) scale
temperature scale having a freezing point of water at 32 degrees F and boiling point at 212 degrees F
137
femto-
prefix used to indicate 10^-15
138
gram (g)
basic metric unit of weight or mass
139
kilo-
prefix used to indicate 1000 (10^3) units
140
liter (L)
basic metric unit of volume
141
meter (m)
basic metric unit of length or distance
142
metric system
the decimal system of measurement used internationally for scientific work
143
micro-
prefix used to indicate one-millionth (10^-6) of a unit
144
milli-
prefix used to indicate one-thousandth (10^-3) of a unit
145
nano-
prefix used to indicate one-billionth (10^-9) of a unit
146
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
a federal agency that promotes international standardization of measurements; formerly the National Bureau of Standards
147
pico-
prefix used to indicate 10^-12 of a unit
148
SI units
standardized units of measure; international units
149
Beral pipet
a disposable plastic pipet with a built-in bulb on one end that usually can deliver up to 2 mL and can have a graduated stem; also called a transfer pipet
150
deionized water
water that has had most of the mineral ions removed
151
diluent
a liquid added to a solution to make it less concentrated
152
dilution
a solution made less concentrated by adding a diluent; the act of making a dilute solution; the degree to which a solution is made less concentrated
153
dilution factor
reciprocal of the dilution
154
distilled water
the condensate collected from steam after water has been boiled
155
formula weight (F.W.)
the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms in a compound; molecular weight
156
gram equivalent weight
the number obtained by dividing the formula weight by the valence
157
lyophilize(d)
remove water from a frozen solution under vacuum; freeze-dry
158
micropipet
a pipet that measures or holds 1 milliliter or less
159
micropipetter
a mechanical pipetter that can measure or deliver very small volumes, usually 1 mL or less
160
molar solution (M)
solution containing 1 mole of solute per liter of solution
161
mole
formula weight of a substance expressed in grams
162
molecular weight (M.W.)
the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms in a molecule or compound; formula weight
163
normality (N)
the number of gram equivalents of a compound per liter of solution
164
percent solution
a solution made by adding units of solute per 100 units of total solution
165
physiological saline
0.85% (0.85 M) sodium chloride solution
166
pipet
a slender calibrated tube used for measuring and transferring liquids
167
proportion
relationship in number or amount of one portion compared to another portion or to the whole; ratio
168
ratio
relationship in number or degree between two things
169
reagent
substance of solution used in laboratory analyses; substance involved in a chemical reaction
170
reverse osmosis
purification of water by forcing water under high pressure through a semi-permeable membrane
171
solute
the substance dissolved in a given solution
172
solution
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances
173
solvent
a dissolving agent, usually a liquid
174
TC
on pipets, a mark indicating "to contain"
175
TD
on pipets, a mark indicating "to deliver"
176
titer
in serology, the reciprocal of the highest dilution that gives the desired reaction; the concentration of a substance, determined by titration
177
valence
the positive or negative charge of a molecule; a number representing the combining power of an atom
178
accuracy
the closeness of agreement of a measured value with the true value
179
average
the sum of a set of values divided by the number of values in the set; the mean
180
blind sample
an assayed sample that is provided as an unknown to laboratories participating in proficiency testing programs
181
calibration
the process of checking, standardizing, or adjusting a method or instrument so that it yields accurate results
182
coefficient of variation (CV)
a calculated value that compares the relative variability between different sets of data
183
controls
commercially available assayed solutions that are chemically and physically similar to the unknown and are tested in the same manner as the unknown to monitor the precision of a test method
184
Gaussian curve
a graph plotting the distribution of values around the mean; normal frequency curve
185
Levey-Jennings chart
a quality control chart used to record daily quality control values
186
mean
the sum of a set of values divided by the number of values in the set; the average
187
population
the entire group of items or individuals from which the samples under consideration are presumed to have come
188
precision
reproducibility of results; the closeness of obtained values to each other
189
quality assessment (QA)
in the laboratory, a program that monitors the total testing process with the aim of providing the highest quality patient care; formerly called quality assurance
190
quality control (QC)
a system that verifies the reliability of analytical test results through the use of standards, controls, and statistical analysis
191
quality systems (QS)
in an institution, a comprehensive program in which all areas of operation are monitored to ensure quality with the aim of providing the highest quality patient care
192
random error
error that is inconsistent and whose source cannot be definitely identified
193
sample
in statistics, a subgroup of a population
194
shift
an abrupt change from the established mean indicated by the occurrence of all control values on one side of the mean
195
standard
a chemical solution of a known concentration that can be used as a reference or calibration substance
196
standard deviation (s)
a measure of the spread of a population of values around the mean
197
statistics
the branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data; a collection of quantitative data
198
systematic error
error that is introduced into a test system and is not a random occurrence
199
trend
an indication of error in the analysis, detected by a progressive drift of control values in one direction for at least 5 consecutive runs
200
variance (s^2)
the square of the standard deviation; mean square deviation
201
Westgard's rules
a set of rules used to determine when a method is out of control
