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43 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Veterinarians depend on laboratory results to help establish |
Diagnosis, track the course of diseases, and offer prognosis |
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What is the role of a veterinary technician in the lab |
Aid with the collection and preparation of samples. |
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IN-HOUSE LABORATORY |
-In clinic -provides fast availability of test results (improves patient care and client service) -most tests are available "in-house" -significant source of income for the practice |
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REFERENCE LABORATORY |
-Samples are sent out for analysis -Results are available within 1-2 days (delays diagnosis and delays appropriate treatment) -often times, results are more accurate |
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Factors that affect accuracy and precision are: |
-test selection -test conditions -sample quality -staff skill -electrical surges -equipment maintenance |
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The design of a laboratory |
-separately located from other areas of the hospital -good lighting -accommodates multiple types of laboratory equipment -comfortable work space -allows for spacing between laboratory equipment -consistent room temperature controls -draft free -includes a sink, storage space, electrical supply, and internet access |
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SINK |
the laboratory must provide a place to -rinse -drain -stain (Do not dispose hazardous materials down the sink. If you are unsure, refer to the chemicals SDS or safety data sheet) |
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STORAGE SPACE |
-Adequate storage space for reagents and supplies -multiple drawers and cabinets -refrigerator/freezer (countertop fridge is ok) -avoid frost free freezers(remove fluid from samples) *chest freezers are best for long term storage of fluid samples |
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ELECTRICAL SUPPLY |
- Carefully consider placement of electrical equipment - Sufficient electrical outlets must be available - Sufficient circuit breakers must be available - Do not overload circuits - Avoid handling fluids near electrical wires or instruments |
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INTERNET ACCESS |
- Most modern day laboratories require Internet access to run diagnostic communication between the machine and computer - Images of blood smears or urine sediments may need to be emailed to an outside source - The Internet is a valuable resource for veterinary medical information (Some information may not be reliable, know your quality websites) |
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LABORATORY SAFETY PROGRAM |
- Essential for ensuring the safety of employees in the clinical lab area - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates specific laboratory practices that must be incorporated into the laboratory safety policy - The safety policy should include procedures and precautions for the use and maintenance of equipment |
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Safety equipment |
-Safety equipment and supplies, such as eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, spill clean up kit's, hazardous and biohazard waste disposal containers, and protective gloves, must be available - Employees working in the lab must be aware of the location of these items and thoroughly trained in their use |
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Laboratory safety policies |
-Must be in writing - Placed in an accessible location - Signs should be posted to notify employees that eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, and adjusting contact lens in the laboratory are prohibited |
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Zoonotic |
A disease that is transmissible from human to animal or animal too human. Typically mammal to mammal |
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Zoonotic potential |
Potential hazards: -feces -lab samples (blood) -wound exudates -urine -saliva |
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Rabies |
Transmitted by saliva of the infected animal - Bites - Open wounds - Saliva residue left on the bowl |
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Bacterial infections |
-Pasteurella -Salmonella -Escherichia coli -Pseudomonas Direct contact with The animal and its excretions. Aerosolized. |
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Fungal infections |
Ringworm -microsporum canis Transmitted by skin to skin contact |
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Parasitism |
-roundworms -hookworms -Lyme disease -mites -toxoplasmosis Several routes of transmission |
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PPE is key |
Personal Protection Equipment - Wear gloves when handling fecal or urine samples - Where apron's, goggles, and masks when warranted - Wash your hands frequently - Do not put your hands in your mouth or eyes - Do not eat in the laboratory - Clean up frequently - Dispose of sample properly |
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OSHA |
- Designs health regulations that provide safe work environments for all employees - Follow all rules and regulations - If you are unsure of what type of PPE is required at any given time, you can refer to their website, OSHA. GOV, and refer to SDS (safety data sheets) -For example: You have a tissue sample in formalin to be sent to a reference lab. You accidentally drop and spill all of the formalin. the SDS sheet will inform you of proper clean up, disposal, and PPE procedures. |
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Most common equipment needed for a laboratory |
- Microscope - Refractometer - Microhematocrit centrifuge -Clinical centrifuge -Blood chemistry analyzers -Cell counters -Incubator |
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Use of microscope |
Evaluation of -blood -urine -feces -exudates -cytology |
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Care and maintenance of microscope |
Lens -lens tissue (clean lenses) -methanol or lens cleaning solution can be used to clean lens Eyepiece - If the debris on an eyepiece rotates when you rotate the eyepiece, the debris is located on the eyepiece and not the lens -clean with lens paper |
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What is performed annually on a microscope |
Cleaning and adjustment by a microscope professional |
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Microscope lightbulbs |
- Turn off the power and unplug the microscope - Allow bulb to cool then remove - Avoid touching replacement bulb directly, shortens the bulb life - Carefully replace new light bulb |
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Microscope placement |
- Avoid an area with excessive heat and humidity - Place in an area where it is not moved frequently - Keep away from vibrating machines, liquids, and drawers with heavy traffic - Keep away from sunlight and drafts |
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Microscope handling |
- Carry with both hands - When carrying, place one hand under the base and the other holding the supporting arm. |
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Refractometer |
Used to measure the refractive index of a solution -serum or plasma protein -urine specific gravity
Delicate optical instrument That must be properly cared for to ensure accurate results |
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Refractometer care and maintenance |
- Should be cleaned after every use - Cover glass and cover plate should be wiped dry - Use lens tissue when cleaning to avoid scratches - Calibrate regularly ( Use distilled water when calibrating, If the measurement reading does not read 0, turn adjusting screw until you have a 0 reading |
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Centrifuge |
Used to separate substances of different densities that are in a solution -blood -feces -urine |
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Centrifuge care and maintenance |
-Only use brake for equipment malfunctions - Never operate with the lid unattached - Load centrifuge with open ends of the tubes towards the center of the centrifuge head - Tubes must be counterbalanced with equal size and weight ( You can use water filled tubes for balancing) - Clean immediately after anything is spilled inside - If a tube cracks or breaks in the centrifuge, clean it immediately ( If not removed then the machine can be permanently damaged) - Some require periodic lubrication of the bearings - Check on brushes and replace them regularly *** A regular maintenance schedule prevents costly breakdowns and keeps the centrifuge running at maximum efficiency |
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Incorrect loading of the centrifuge can cause |
Damage to the instrument and injury to the operator |
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Chemistry analyzers and hematology analyzers |
- Use the principle of photometry to quantify constituents found in blood - Complete blood accounts - Chemistries - Electrolytes - Glucose |
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Chemistry analyzers and hematology analyzers |
-Sensitive instruments that must be carefully maintained - Always follow manufacturers operating instructions - Generally, have a warm up period To reach equilibrium before they are used - Should be turned on 1st thing in the morning - Should be left on all day especially in the case of an emergency - Many blood counters require daily flushing of the entire system with bleach and fresh diluting solution to keep the aperture open |
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Quality assurance |
- Procedures that ensure that clinical testing has been performed ( Process and results should be properly documented) - The accuracy and precision of laboratory test results cannot be verified without a comprehensive quality assurance program |
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Accuracy, precision, and reliability |
- Terms used to describe quality control and the standards for any quality control program - Accuracy: how close results agree with true quantitative value of the constituent -Precision: Magnitude of random errors and the reproducibility of measurements -Reliability: The ability or a method to be accurate and precise |
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What can affect accuracy and precision? |
Test selection, test conditions, sample quality, operator skill, electrical surges, and equipment maintenance |
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Analysis of control materials |
-Used for assessment of the instrument and operator - Results are produced from a controlled material - Controls are handled the same way as a patient sample would be - Controls should be assayed with each test badge at the same time that patient samples are assayed - Control values should fall within the manufacturers reported range, if not, the test should be repeated |
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Applied quality control |
- Instrument maintenance is required to prolong the life of the instrument and prevent expensive downtime - All instruments come with an owner's manual - Manual lists components that must be inspected and attended frequently - A page is dedicated to each instrument and includes the following: Instrument name, serial number, model number, purchase date, points to be checked, frequency of checks, record of test readings, changes made to restore accuracy and precision of readings, cost in time associated with necessary restoration, name or initials of the person performing the maintenance
- Results obtained with the control serum are recorded and kept in a permanent record - Results are placed on a graph so trends can be notated - Laboratories can provide reliable results if errors are caught and eliminated - Overlooking quality control can lead to lab errors, thus resulting in the death of an animal - Applying quality control to all diagnostic instruments ensures that veterinarian has all the correct information needed to make a proper diagnosis |
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Laboratory records |
- Divided into internal and external record systems - Records must be complete and up-to-date - Advanced computer systems are now available for many veterinarian practices - Clinics using computer system should be sure to keep backup records in case of computer failure or damage by viruses |
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Internal records |
-Laboratory tracks assay results and obtains methods - Consist of standard operating procedure and quality control data graphs - SOP: Contains instructions for all analysis run in the lab - Easiest way to maintain the book: Insert the instruction sheets accompanying each commercial test kit in a 3 ring binder, along with pages for any other procedures performed in the library - Individual pages can be inserted into plastic overlays -If SOP Is kept on a computer, make sure that an up-to-date copy is available |
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External records |
- Laboratory personnel communicate with other hospital personnel and other laboratory clinics - Request forms should accompany the sample to the lab along with report forms for assay results - Forms should include pertinent information of the patient and the samples sent to the reference lab - Patient information should include: Patient's full identification, patient's ID number, presenting signs, data method used to obtain the sample, pertinent history, test desired, and any special notes regarding sample handling - Request should also include which method results are to be reported( telephone,fax , email or written report), and to which doctor ( Although all personnel in the clinic will have access to the results)
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