Introduction to the Principles of

Laboratory Medicine

Photos by Theresa Kristopaitis, MD

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?

The Clinical Laboratory Plays a Key Role in

Patient CareO 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

ObjectivesO The learner will:

O Define “laboratory medicine” and “clinical pathology”.

O Describe the diagnostic testing processO 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

ContentsO Module 1

O What is clinical laboratory medicine?O Module 2

O The diagnostic testing processO Module 3

O Preanalytic Phase of Laboratory TestingO Module 4

O Analaytic Phase of Laboratory TestingO Module 5

O Postanalytic Phase of Laboratory TestingO Module 6

O Establishing Reference Ranges