I’m working on a health & medical discussion question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
Complete to following tasks related to the clinical laboratory:
Discuss the role of the clinical laboratory personnel in patient care and the medical assistant’s role in coordinating laboratory tests and results.
Describe three divisions/departments of the clinical laboratory.
- Explain the three regulatory categories established by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
REPLY #1
*The role of clinical laboratory personnel in patient care are pathologist: a director who is a scientist with a doctorate degree as well as phlebotomist and laboratory technicians who receive training to collect blood specimens and preen laboratory specimens. Medical assistants are trained properly to collect patient specimens as well as performing specific test procedures within the physician office laboratory (POL). They’re also specifically trained to collect specimens to reference laboratories for training.
*Three departments of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) are Hematology; which is the study of blood cells and coagulation. Some tests that the department do are hemoglobin, microscopic test to determine of cells, hematocrit, etc. Another is Microbiology; the study of extremely small infectious organisms. Some tests are blood cultures, sensitivity testing, rapid strep testing, etc. Finally, Chemistry; analyzation of chemicals in the blood, spinal fluid, urine, joint fluid, etc.
* Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment was established in 1988 to ensure quality standards for all clinical laboratory testing such as accuracy, precision, reliability, and timeliness.
REPLY #2
The medical assistant working in the physician’s office laboratory collects samples, performs tests, follows strict procedures, manages quality ,The medical assistant is trained to perform certain testing procedures, as well as in methods of collecting specimens . The medical assistant (MA) plays an important role in coordinating laboratory tests and results.
Laboratory Departments and Overview · Chemistry: Chemistry performs a wide variety of tests using the most current technology. Clinical Chemistry · Clinical Microbiology · Hematology · Blood banking and Serology (aka Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine) · Clinical Microscopy. Clinical microbiology: This encompasses several different sciences, including bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology, and mycology. Microbiology: Looks for the presence of microorganisms in a variety of sample sources to determine if a patient has an infection .
The regulatory requirements of CLIA vary based on the types of tests a laboratory performs. CLIA regulatory requirements classify testing into three categories: high complexity, moderate complexity and waived. There are five different types of CLIA certifications, and each is generally effective for two years. Current Regulation: CLIA established three categories of tests: waived tests, moderate complexity tests, and high complexity tests . CLIA regulations apply to laboratory testing in all settings including commercial, hospital, and physician office laboratories .
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Clinical Laboratory Discussion PLUS 2 replies
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Introduction:
In the field of healthcare, the clinical laboratory plays a vital role in patient care. It is responsible for conducting various tests and analyzing specimens to provide diagnostic information to healthcare professionals. In this response, we will discuss the role of clinical laboratory personnel in patient care, as well as the medical assistant’s role in coordinating laboratory tests and results. Additionally, we will describe three divisions/departments of the clinical laboratory and explain the three regulatory categories established by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
Answer:
The role of clinical laboratory personnel in patient care is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Pathologists, who are scientists with a doctorate degree, oversee the clinical laboratory and provide expert interpretation of test results. They work closely with other laboratory personnel, such as phlebotomists and laboratory technicians, who are responsible for collecting blood specimens and preparing laboratory samples.
Medical assistants also play an important role in coordinating laboratory tests and results. They are trained to collect patient specimens within the physician office laboratory (POL) and perform specific test procedures. Additionally, medical assistants are responsible for ensuring that test results are communicated effectively to healthcare providers and patients, maintaining accurate records, and managing quality control measures within the laboratory.
The clinical laboratory is typically divided into three departments: hematology, microbiology, and chemistry. In the hematology department, blood cells and coagulation are studied. Some common tests conducted in this department include hemoglobin levels, microscopic examination of cells, and hematocrit measurements. Microbiology focuses on the study of infectious organisms and conducts tests such as blood cultures, sensitivity testing, and rapid strep testing. Finally, the chemistry department analyzes chemicals present in bodily fluids like blood, spinal fluid, urine, and joint fluid.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) were established in 1988 to ensure quality standards for all clinical laboratory testing. These regulatory categories were implemented to assess the complexity of laboratory tests. CLIA categorizes testing into three main categories: waived tests, moderate complexity tests, and high complexity tests.
Waived tests are simple laboratory tests with a low risk of errors. These tests are considered to be the least complex and are often performed outside traditional laboratory settings, such as a point-of-care test within a physician’s office. Moderate complexity tests require more technical skill and expertise but can still be performed in a variety of laboratory settings. Finally, high complexity tests involve complex methodologies and can only be performed in laboratories with specialized equipment and highly trained personnel.
Overall, clinical laboratory personnel, including pathologists, phlebotomists, laboratory technicians, and medical assistants, play vital roles in patient care by ensuring accurate testing and timely communication of results. The clinical laboratory departments of hematology, microbiology, and chemistry together cover a broad range of testing needs. CLIA establishes regulatory categories to ensure the quality and reliability of laboratory testing across various complexities.
