#1: 70% of diagnoses are dependent #1: 70% of diagnoses are dependent on laboratory testingon laboratory testing
Chest pain? Lab testing helps distinguish a heart attack from
indigestionGut pain?
Lab tests tell your doctor if it’s appendicitis .Is your child lethargic with swollen lymph
nodes and fever? Lab tests will differentiate leukemia from
mononucleosis.
#2: Physicians may not explain lab #2: Physicians may not explain lab results to their patientsresults to their patients
Be sure to ask for copies of your lab results and have the doctor explain them.
You can go to Lab Tests Online to get free explanations of laboratory tests (www.labtestsonline.org) .
#3: Dr. “McDreamy” on Grey’s Anatomy #3: Dr. “McDreamy” on Grey’s Anatomy may be dreamy but he doesn’t do his may be dreamy but he doesn’t do his
patient’s lab testingpatient’s lab testingMost laboratory testing is
performed by educated laboratory professionals with degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Contrary to what you may see on TV, diagnostic labs are professional workplaces -- smoking, eating and
drinking are NOT allowed in the laboratory.
#4: You can trust your laboratory results#4: You can trust your laboratory resultsLaboratory quality control programs are extensive
and prevent errors in your final lab report.“Lab errors” are rare
when they do happen they are usually due to errors that occurred before or after the actual laboratory analysis.
If you need to have another specimen collected it’s probably because: the specimen was mislabeled the wrong test was ordered the specimen was sent to the lab in the wrong
collection container
http://ascls.org/images/
patient_safety/venipuncture_patient_
safety.pdf
Be your own advocate!
Know before you go!
#5: There is a shortage of laboratory #5: There is a shortage of laboratory professionals professionals
• Employment in the Medical Laboratory Science profession is expected to grow by 14% (per Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 11,000 new professionals will be needed each year through 2018
• Educational programs are only graduating 6,000 professionals per year
Average age of the MLS practitioner is ~47 years oldRetirement mass exodus in 10-15 years coming soon to a lab near
you
#6: Laboratory testing requires #6: Laboratory testing requires sophisticated technologysophisticated technology
Laboratory testing is more than just pushing buttons.
Medical laboratory science professionals need problem solving, questioning, and reasoning skills.
Laboratory results require review, interpretation and correlation before they are released… only educated professionals can do that.
false positive?
true positive?
false negative?
true negative?
#7: Know who is doing your laboratory #7: Know who is doing your laboratory testingtesting
Be an informed consumer. Where is your testing being done?Is the lab accredited? Do they only hire certified/licensed
professionals? Only 12 states and Puerto Rico require
licensing for those who do your testing.
#8: Fasting or adhering to certain dietary #8: Fasting or adhering to certain dietary restrictions is required before some restrictions is required before some
teststestsCertain chemical constituents can
change temporarily after eatingTesting too soon after eating may not
provide an accurate assessment of chemical constituent concentrationExample: Testing for blood sugar and
triglycerides.
Before having any blood test, check with your laboratory professional or doctor
for special instructions
#9: Lab results can vary on the same test #9: Lab results can vary on the same test performed at different laboratoriesperformed at different laboratories
Laboratories may have different instrumentation and reagent suppliers. This is why reference (normal) ranges can vary slightly from lab to lab
Slight changes in your results from time to time within the same lab may not be significant
http://ascls.org/images/patient_safety/
fasting_patient_safety_tips.pdf
Be your own advocate!
Know before you go!
#10: Home testing kits are useful but #10: Home testing kits are useful but may not be as accurate as tests may not be as accurate as tests
performed in an accredited laboratoryperformed in an accredited laboratory
If you perform testing using a home test kit, be sure to follow the directions exactly or the results may not be reliable. For more information go to www.labtestsonline.org .
AcknowledgementsThis presentation is brought to you by the
Promotion of the Profession Committee of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Special thanks go out to Shirlyn McKenzie, Ph.D., MLS, SH(ASCP)cm for authoring the original article upon which this presentation is based.