In microbiology we learn to use the Gram stain results of a direct smear to check specimen quality (usually by a count of squamous epithelial cells) and any predominating organisms (e.g. lancet shaped Gram positive cocci on a sputum) that suggest what to work up. All good micro techs use the Gram stain. Intracellular organisms are an immediate ...

One of the most frustrating   issues for clinical laboratorians is that clinicians continue to misuse laboratory testing. Laboratory utilization is a hot potato because of increased concerns with cost (to the laboratory and payer), extended length of stay  abnormal test gets worked up) and patient concerns (Am I sick? What does this ...

Forgive my lapse into high school-speak, but this is waaaaaaay cool. A news release from Boston's Children's Hospital explained that the hospital is leading a contest to interpret the DNA sequences of three children with rare conditions whose cause remain a mystery. Wow, what an exciting undertaking. The release went on to say that although DNA ...

Too often medical consumers overlook laboratorians when considering who their care providers are. It's the same old story - out of sight, out of mind. So it struck me as a forward-thinking concept when I read about an upcoming Consumer Genetics Conference set for Oct. 3 to 5 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, Mass. The conference will explore key ...

It would be great if we received cultures from only sites expected to be sterile: blood, deep wounds, body fluids. In areas where the immune system gobbles up microscopic critters, properly collected positive cultures are instructive. The physician is interested in the Gram stain result, waits for the culture, and speaks to the microbiologist ...

Traditionally, an inpatient medical record contains handwritten physician orders that are a mix of transcribed orders (e.g. a doctor telephones a nurse to request lab tests), free text orders written in a stream of consciousness style, and printed forms with orders for certain situations or care plans. Should the laboratory design preprinted ...

We as laboratory professionals should take advantage of opportunities to educate physicians. But physicians work side by side with nurses and not laboratory technologists, so “education” often happens after a mistake or complaint. Much of this is second hand -- we end up educating nurses not trained to interpret laboratory testing -- but it ...

On a student site I read this: ... many tests and procedures are becoming more simplified and can be conducted by physicians and even the patients themselves, thus reducing the need for clinical lab technicians and assistants in some areas of health care. An administrator once said, “The trend is toward home testing. Patients will run their ...

I just saw the blockbuster movie Contagion and must say I was pretty impressed. When I watch a medical-themed movie, I always look at it with a critical eye. How factual is it? Is it authentic in terms of scenarios, equipment, procedures and vocabulary?I look for how realistically roles are portrayed. For example I tend to roll my eyes and become ...

One of the ways in which the laboratory staff is often distinguished from other allied health professions is the difference in levels of patient interaction. While nurses and physical, occupational or speech therapists are working with patients all shift long, lab professionals are ''behind the scenes,'' running diagnostics, calculating levels ...