Understanding point of care testing

●Medical laboratories are essential in healthcare settings.

●Found in hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and public
health departments.

●Staffed by various certified professionals including MTs,
MLTs, and phlebotomists.

Role of Medical Assistants

●Medical assistants (MAs) collect specimens for testing.

●Specimens are sent to outside reference laboratories.

●Tests help document health, screen for diseases, and
assist in diagnosis.

Importance of Laboratory Requisitions

●Lab requisitions are necessary for testing
specimens outside the lab.

●Inaccurate requisitions can lead to rejected
specimens and delays.

●Proper documentation is crucial for patient
satisfaction.

Understanding Point Of Care Testing
and Laboratory Procedures

Introduction to Medical Laboratories

Labeling Specimens Correctly

●Always label specimens accurately to avoid
errors.

●Include patient’s name, date of birth, and
collection details.

●Verify labels against health records before
sending to the lab

Choosing Appropriate Laboratory Tests
●Select tests based on provider’s orders.

●Confirm patient fasting status when required for blood tests.

●Document urine temperature for specific screenings.

Matching Specimens to Requisitions
●Confirm all specimens match the correct lab requisition.

●Mislabeling can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

●Double-check before transporting specimens to the lab.

Clinical Laboratory Departments

Different departments perform specific tests:

●Urinalysis,

●Hematology,

●Chemistry,

●Microbiology,

●Cytology,

●Blood Bank.

Each department has unique functions and
specimen types.

Hematology Tests

●Hematology involves blood cell counts: RBCs,
WBCs, and platelets.

●Helps diagnose anemia, infections, and blood
disorders.

●Regular monitoring can indicate health changes.

Microbiology Testing

●Microbiology studies bacteria, fungi,
and viruses.

●Specimens can include blood, urine,
and wound material.

●Critical for diagnosing infections and
guiding treatment.

Chemistry Tests Overview

●Chemistry tests analyze
chemicals in blood and other
fluids.

●Includes lipid profiles and
glucose levels.

●Essential for assessing
metabolic and organ function.

●Blood banks process and
store blood for
transfusions.

●Essential for surgeries and
treating blood disorders.

●Strict protocols ensure
safety and compatibility.

●Cytology involves
examining cells for
diagnostic
purposes.

●Helps identify
cancer and other
diseases.

●Utilizes samples
from various body
sites.

Pathology

The most common specimens in ambulatory care
settings include:
●Blood

●Urine

●Swab samples

●Each type requires specific handling and
processing techniques.

Processing Specimens Before

Transport

●Some specimens require
processing to maintain integrity.

●Example: Ensure swabbed
specimens are moist by breaking
the fluid chamber.

●Urine specimens may need
centrifuging before transport.

●Some specimens require
processing to maintain integrity.

●Example: Ensure swabbed
specimens are moist by breaking
the fluid chamber.

●Urine specimens may need
centrifuging before transport.

Specimen
Handling

●Medical assistants play a crucial
role in obtaining, processing, and
preparing specimens for
transport.

●Consider all specimens as
potentially infectious to protect
yourself and others.

●Follow standard precautions to
minimize exposure to
disease-causing
microorganisms.

●Label packages with biohazard
identification when transporting
specimens.

●This alerts handlers to the potential
infectious nature of the contents.

●Proper labeling is crucial for safety
during transport.

Special Handling
for Urine Samples

●Urine samples for bilirubin testing
need protection from light.

●Use dark containers to prevent
light exposure.

●Test urine samples within one
hour of collection or refrigerate
them.

Biohazard

Identification

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

●Quality assurance (QA) refers to policies/procedures for reliable
test results

●Quality control (QC) is more specific to uncovering and
eliminating errors

●Examples:

●QC - Checking reagent strip expiration dates

●QA - Rotating stock to use newest items first

Quality Control in

Laboratories

●Quality assurance (QA)
ensures reliability of test
results.

●Quality control (QC) focuses
on accuracy and error
prevention.

●Examples include checking
reagent expiration dates
and refrigerator
temperatures.

Quality Assurance

Measures

●QA policies ensure overall
reliability of laboratory
processes.

●Regular audits and staff
training enhance quality.

●Continuous improvement is
key to patient safety.

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