1. Introduction to the Principles of Laboratory Medicine Photos by Theresa Kristopaitis, MD

2. The lab is calling with a critical value… Bring the fluid down to the lab STAT Was the lab drawn? We need the labs before the patient can____ Are the labs back yet?

3. The Clinical Laboratory Plays a Key Role in Patient Care O The goals of the “Introduction to the Principles of Laboratory Medicine” modules are for healthcare professionals to O Recognize the important role that laboratory medicine professionals have within the healthcare team O Gain basic understanding of the laboratory testing process O Improve patient care

4. Objectives O The learner will: O Define “laboratory medicine” and “clinical pathology”. O Describe the diagnostic testing process O Define the three phases of the laboratory testing process: preanalytical, analytical and post analytical O Give examples of variables in each phase of the laboratory testing process O Define the term “critical value” O Define “point of care testing” O Define “reference lab” O Define “reference range” and describe in general terms how references ranges are determined. O Apply the principles of laboratory medicine to provide better patient care

5. Contents O Module 1 O What is clinical laboratory medicine? O Module 2 O The diagnostic testing process O Module 3 O Preanalytic Phase of Laboratory Testing O Module 4 O Analaytic Phase of Laboratory Testing O Module 5 O Postanalytic Phase of Laboratory Testing O Module 6 O Establishing Reference Ranges