The Sooner Scope VOLUME LVI JUNE 2010 NUMBER 1

FIRST ELECTRONIC EDITION

VOLUME LVI THE SOONER SCOPE JUNE 2010

2009 - 2010 OKSSAMT OFFICERS AMT HeadquartersAMT

10700 West Higgins RoadRosemont, Il. 60018

All materials for publication must be received by the fol-lowing dates:

May 15, November 15Publication Dates:

June 15, December 15Address all articles for consideration of publication to the Editor. The Editor reserves the right to revise all articles submitted for publication. Articles submitted for publica-tion will not be returned unless request is made by author.

President, Proctoring Chair and NMLW CoordinatorAnna Seals, RPTP.O. Box 304Clinton, Oklahoma 73601Phone: 580-331-8297Annaseals@aol.com

Vice President Hallie Keahey819 N. BooneElk City, Oklahoma 73644580-243-5601 homehjk918@sbcglobal.net

Secretary and NMAW CoordinatorSuzanne Ashmore3025 Woodcrest WayNorman, Oklahoma 73026Home Phone: 405-366-1640suzyashmore@hotmail.com

TreasurerKim Digby, MLT1928 Heritage Park Dr.Apt 124 OKC, OK 73120Work Phone: 405-609-2253Cell: 580-309-2247kdigby@att.net

1st Year ProfessionalLynn Dunlap100 S. Pioneer lot # 7Elk City, Oklahoma 73644580-210-8123lynnmariecrha@yahoo.com

Immediate Past President and Proctoring ChairMary Burden, MT1041 Kings RoadMoore, Oklahoma 73160Day Phone: 405-682-0721Home Phone: 405-793-9821maryburden@okssamt.com

Board Member at LargeMelissa Smith406 Hoover CircleElk city, Ok. 73644580-210-8317smithm@student.swosu.edu

EditorLia Kaye Spears, MT20456 E 1410 Rd. # 8Lone Wolf, Oklahoma 73655Home Phone: 580-301-0724lkspears@itlnet.net

District CouncilorRandy Swopes, MT2691 Whittington LaneWestlake, la. 70669-0340Home Phone: 337-437-4022Work Phone: 337-626-1011Cell Phone: 337-794-1164 geriswopes@msn.com

Executive CouncilorEdna Anderson, MT1397 Redwood St. NWSalem, Or. 97304-1940Home Phone: 503-364-5645Cell Phone: 503-949-6269ema46@comcast.net

Scientific ChairCarlo Ledesma, MT (AMT) MT(ASCPi) CLS(H)(NCA)Clinical Laboratory Scientist III, OU Medical Centerw: 405 271-6161 ext 37205 (Special Hematology)c: 405 762-2069cjledesma0323@gmail.com836 Brookwood Drive #102Oklahoma City , Ok 73139

The Sooner Scope is a publication of the Oklahoma State Society of the American Medical Technologists (OKSSAMT)And is published two times a year. Non-member subscrip-tions are available at a cost of $10.00 per year.

Editor………Lia Kaye Spears, MT (AMT)

Circulation: 600 copiesADVERTISEMENT RATES:

Full page: $125.00 Half page: $75.00Quarter page: $25.00 Business Card: $15.00

News From Abroad Many of you may remember Capt Neil Helbling, MT, from Altus Air Force Base. He attended our OKS-SAMT meetings and also presented a program or two for our continuing education credits. He transferred from Altus to Minot Air Force Base in Minot, South Dakota and is currently serving his second tour of duty in Balad, Iraq. His duties there include monitoring the blood supply for the hospital as well as biowarfare control. We wish him a safe tour and a speedy journey home - back to God’s country as he puts it.

A Non-compliant Patient with Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2

ByLauren Tatum

307 E Washington AveSayre OK, 73662

SWOSU at Sayre MLT Program409 E MississippiSayre OK, 73662

Diabetes afflicts 7.8 percent of the Population of the United States (1). With persistent monitoring of blood glucose levels and ad-equate care, a person with diabetes would be indistinguishable from a person who does not have the condition. According to Cengage, of the twenty million plus people living with diabetes (2), there are some who do not comply with the standards of care advised by their care-giver or physician. When one does not comply, there can be severe consequences--including death. Only twelve percent of the Americans with diabetes have both types one and two combined (2). The subject of this paper, whom I have observed over a period of four years, is included in this figure. He discovered his condition in 2004 when he constantly was sick, never could ingest enough water to satisfy his thirst, and was losing weight. After a trip to the emergency room, he acquired a strict set of rules that he needed to comply with in order to live a normal life. In the first year the subject adhered to diet restrictions and medica-tion schedules, but then lost the desire to comply with his physician’s guidelines. Within two weeks he found himself back in the hospital with symptoms including nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and loss of energy and appetite. After regulating his blood glucose levels, he was discharged home. Equipped with some syringes, pills, and a home glucose meter, the subject started again to revert to his former lifestyle and non-compliance. According to him he only had to check his blood glucose levels when he felt sick, and all he had to do was eat sweets to raise it. Unfortunately, it was not the sugar he needed; it was the insu-lin to help his body process the glucose (2). He only took the insulin when he was already getting sick and on the verge of a coma. After several trips to the hospital the man still continued to dismiss the vital information his doctors were giving him. He was told that he would develop heart problems if he did not start taking care of himself. The next time he was in the hospital he had severe heart murmurs, and the doctor said he was very close to having a heart attack. If he had gotten there any later, he would have had one. On top of health issues his physical appearance was affected by his irrational decisions. He would lose so much weight that the outline of his bones could be seen through his skin when previously it could not. He also experienced swelling of his legs. He would spend days lying in bed which compromised his circulation. Stated by Mouse Hand, poor circulation is extremely dangerous in diabetics (3). On some occasions his ankles would swell up larger than a softball. All he would do about this was pass it off by saying, “Oh, I will lose my legs someday.” According to the American Diabetes Association, 71,000 lower-limb amputations were performed in 2004 alone (4). Other physical conditions he would have are a distinctive odor that emitted from his entire body, and extremely dry skin. Some people with diabetes have the same smell, but his was so strong it was overbearing. The mouth was the origin of the most offensive smell. It could be detected as far away as the kitchen when his bedroom was located across a living room and down a hallway. As explained though an Anatomy and Physiology lecture (5), when the human body is not capable of burning glucose for energy, it burns fat instead. When this

occurs, there is a chemical remaining called a ketone. The ketone is unable to escape the body except through urination and respiration. Although this diabetic patient seemed unaware of the odor, his family smelled the ketones coming off of his breath. Additionally, the dry skin was so severe it could not be completely relieved by the use of topical lotions. The appearance of his legs resembled that of a scaly lizard; his arms were not as bad. The man was able to peel skin off in chunks as if he had a sun burn, but that was not the cause. In and out of the hospital, swollen ankles and severely dry skin, the man was not in good health. This pattern continued until one day his body had too much. He fell into a diabetic coma. The man’s blood glucose level was over 1000, and he was in the coma for several days. This was the longest he was in the hospital, and his family thought he could not recover. The doctors had to once again fall into the routine of regulating his glucose levels in an attempt to save him. Fortunately, it worked. The patient was sent home. One week later he was in the hospital again for the same reason. If he continues his non-compliance, he will lose his legs and probably die at an early age of a heart attack or stroke. His family is despondent over his unwillingness to comply and maintain good health. They do not have the time, money or patience left to assist a person who will not assist himself. At forty-three years of age the man lives in a nursing home where he can have the constant supervision he needs because he is incapable of making good decisions on his own. Despite being told by several doctors how to take care of himself, he still decided to not comply. His quality of life is greatly diminished, and at the age where he should be enjoying a career and success and looking forward to retirement, he finds himself in a nursing home with people twice his age who are dying around him. Although the outcome for this patient is unfortunate, he has avoided the worst outcome—death. According to the American Diabetes Association, 233,619 deaths were reported in 2005 and were directly contributed to diabetes. The less often dia-betics follow the guidelines given to them, the more complications they will have. The diagnosis of diabetes can be devastating, but with compliance with diets and medications, the diabetic has a chance to live a normal life.

1. www.NationalDiabetesinfoClearingHouse.org (NDIC) 8/24/2009

2. Perspectives on diseases and disorders, Diabetes. 2008, A part of Cengage Learning. 27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 4833, 3535

3. Mouse Hand, www.mousehand.info 3/2009

4. American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes -statistics/ 12/8/2009

5. Human Anatomy and Physiology, The Digestive System. Roxann Clifton. 12/2009

Any ar�cle appearing in this journal is to be assumed as represen�ng the opinion of the author, and is not

to be considered as reflec�ng the policy of the Ameri-can Medical Technologists unless the ar�cle is so

designated.

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS MESSAGE (SPRING-2010)

“As we enter the 2nd decade of the 21st. century, AMT is healthy” reported President Paul Brown. These remarks were made at the Spring Board and Council meeting, that just con-cluded at the J.W. Marriot Resort in Summerlin, Nevada. I am writing this Spring District Councillors message as we fly home from Las Vegas. I must commend Diane Powell and the home office staff for selecting this beautiful site for our 2010 National Convention taking place July 12th thru 17th. I promise you that you will not be disappointed with this selection. The grounds are beautiful and the views from your rooms are spectacular. While I’m telling you about the resort; I urge all attendees to visit the “Rewards Coun-ter” located in the casino. Get a “Rampant Rewards” card. Even if you don’t gamble, this card will get you discounts on meals every day, plus other advantages. Diane also reported to the Council that the program is 90% complete. There will be 2 workshops taking place on Monday. The Friday night entertainment will be a dinner show with some excellent impersonators. The leadership conference held on Thursday of that week promises to be very educational for the State officers. The Council has obtained the services of three speakers which I believe will be of much help to all of the of-ficers of each state. There will be a shuttle service from the air-port. Look for details in the next AMT Event publication coming soon. They have selected Miami, Florida for the 2011 convention site. It will be a joint meeting with CASMET. Other dates to note coming this Spring: The Magnolia Conference to be held in Panama City, Florida. Feb. 25th thru 27th. Details for this meeting can be found at the AMT web site. Kay Ferguson has put together an excellent program consisting of some quality CEU’s. National Dental Assistant week is March 7th thru 13th. National Medical Laboratory week is April 18th thru 24th. Take time to promote your profession, you have earned the kudos. Chris Damon reported to the Council that AMT has hired on a part time basis, Camille Murray as Education Manager. She will be working to develop online CEU opportunities along with dif-ferent ways to obtain CEU’s. Cathy Celia, our Marketing Manager, has been very busy spreading AMT around the world. She urges AMT members to go to the AMT web site and view the different web home sites from various states. Home office is waiting to help any state wanting to set up individual state web sites. I will see all my TSSAMT friends next weekend in Lufkin. Looking forward to meeting with you. I will be in Oklahoma at your joint meeting in April. I am planning to visit either Missouri or Central Plains in the fall. This second decade, will be very busy for AMT members. I look forward to seeing a lot of my friends and making new ones as I go from state to state. May you have a blessed and prosper-ous year. See all of you soon.

Best regards, Randy Swopes MT(AMT) Central District Councillor

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Our recently held spring One Voice Seminar held at Rose State College was very successful. We had some awesome and interesting guest speakers. Thank you Carlo and the rest of the Scientific Committee for an exceptional job.

There were 21 vendors present, too. They displayed their products for everyone to see and visited all that stopped by their booths. I would like to send out a big thank you to Wade Pruitt for arranging for the vendors and their booths.

Our next One Voice meeting will be at the Integris Baptist Hospital (conference rooms) in Oklahoma City on Septem-ber 24, 2010. Please make plans to attend. Our Scientific Committee is all ready hard at work on programs for all disciplines.

I wish that we could all attend the upcoming AMT National Convention and Business Meeting in Summerlin, Nevada this July. Not only are the national conventions a great learning experience, they are the place to renew old friend-ships and make new friends in our AMT family. Besides the convention classes, meetings, and get- togethers, there is lots of stuff to do in Las Vegas and the motel offers a free shuttle to Las Vegas.

On a personal note, I have a new job. I have gone to work for Labsco and I am in the process of learning the ropes. Sales are so very different from bench work. I can still be reached by mail at:Anna SealsP. O. Box 304Clinton, Oklahoma 73601Or by cell phone at: 580-331-8297Please feel free to contact me either by phone or mail if I can be assistance to you as you OKSSAMT president.

This is our first issue of The Sooner Scope on the web. The OKSSAMT officers are still listed. There have been sev-eral changes – moves, new officers, new jobs, new phone numbers, etc. – so please review the listing of officer’s in order to be able to contact us.

I sincerely hope that none of you have been affected by the recent tornadoes Oklahoma has been seeing this spring. Hope you have a nice summer and look forward to seeing you soon at one of our meetings.

Anna Seals, President 2009 - 2010

Notes from the Editor:

It’s here – our first electronic edition of the Sooner Scope. For this first issue, there won’t be much change from our previous issues as the basic format is staying the same. After this “trial run”, I hope to be able to experiment and “excite” things up a little bit. Of course, I need your help to accomplish this. Please send in any articles, items of in-terest, and/or comments that you would like to see in future issues. The Sooner Scope is YOUR newsletter and your input is greatly appreciated.

I am currently getting ready to go to Las Vegas for the 72nd AMT National Educational Seminar and Business Meeting. I truly enjoy these seminars – they afford a terrific oppor-tunity to get our required CEU’s while offering a fun-filled week of meeting up with old friends, making new friends, and socializing – not to mention sight-seeing and a change of scenery. The meetings also offer an opportunity to see how AMT works for you: works with government agen-cies, protects our rights as medical professionals, and helps regulate testing regulations just to mention a few things.

There are some guidelines to meet in order to qualify to be an Oklahoma delegate to these annual meetings, such as attend at least one in-state meeting during the current year; attend the business meetings at the convention and exercise your voting rights as a delegate when required; and also, write a delegate’s report which will be published in the Sooner Scope. These small tasks qualify you to serve as a delegate helping to promote our great state and our great state AMT society - OKSSAMT. OKSSAMT is able to help a qualified delegate with some of the expense of attending thru a stipend. While it won’t pay for your whole trip, it is a big help. Some members use this as their family vacation and the AMT home office is great about finding locations with mass appeal to members and families of members that attend. Plus, there are many attendees that are willing to help cut costs by sharing a room, locating reasonable eating facilities, and sharing driving expenses (when applicable). Serving as a delegate and meeting the delegate’s responsibilities will help you reap many benefits – so try it, you might like it.

Briefly, I will mention the recent One Voice Meeting. The quality of the classes was outstanding – excellent highly qualified speakers covering a broad spectrum of subjects. There truly was something for every discipline. Thank you Carlo and team for the fantastic job you did bringing us such a well balanced learning opportunity.

In closing, I hope you enjoy this issue of the Sooner Scope. I sincerely hope you will let me know your opinion on how it can be made better and serve your needs better at the

SWOSU at SayreStudent News

We have just finished a very busy year. Our Con-vocation ceremony was held May 7th. Congratu-lations to our graduates: Charissa Isch, AliciaHouston, Erika Bryant, and Jennifer Dunn. OnMay 17th, nine freshmen began clinical practice.

Several of our students enjoyed attending the One Voice Seminar in OKC in April. Four of our stu-dents are looking forward to the AMT NationalConvention in Summerlin, Nevada. We are veryProud that Charissa Isch is being honored as AMTMLT Student of the Year and that Lauren Tatumwon second place in the AMT Student TechnicalWriting Awards. Congratulations to both of themas well! Alicia Houston and Marlena Johnson willalso be attending. A big thank you to Dean Jamesfor approving our travel expense to be able to attend the convention.

Our fall semester will begin in August and we hope to see everyone at the One Voice meetingin September.

Roxann Clifton, MT (AMT), MEdMLT Program DirectorSWOSU at Sayre

same time. Please feel free to contact me at: 580-301-0724 or e-mail: lkspears@itlnet.net with your ideas, suggestions, and helpful hints. Maybe you have a recipe you would like to share or maybe you would like to see an article about a particular subject – just send it my way.Hope everyone has a safe and happy summer. God Bless.

Sincerely,Lia Kaye Spears, MT (AMT) editor

Celia Rameriz, SWOSU MLTstudent prepares to review a hematology

slide as part of her training.

Business Notes

The OKSSAMT board of Directors held a board meeting and a business meeting at the One Voice IV Spring Meeting. Board members present were Anna Seals, Hallie Keahey, Mary Burden, Kim Digby, Carlo Ledesma, Lynn Dunlap, Melissa Smith, and Lia Spears. Board Secretary Suzanne Ashmore was absent due to another pressing personal issue. Also present were Vernon Bass, Louise Gaddis, and Roxann Clifton. Some of the highlights discussed and decided upon follow:

1. It was voted to move the OKSSAMT checking and savings accounts to a nationally recognized bank. Our District Councilor, Randy Swopes, must be registered on the account according to AMT regulations and this would make the account more readily accessible to our state president, Anna Seals, and our treasurer, Kim Digby, too.

2. It was decided that funds would be made available to the Chris Christian Student Scholarship Fund as needed with Board approval. Donations will also be accepted as applicable.

3. The Board received a letter from OKSSAMT member, Jessica Damon, requesting that meetings be moved back to Saturdays so that more working mem-bers could attend. (Note: The One Voice meetings have been held on Fridays for the last several meet-ings. This allows vendors to participate as well as more students.) Much discussion followed the reading of her letter and the Board decided to continue the One Voice meetings on Fridays but, we would schedule a Saturday meeting for OKSSAMT members as soon as possible to be held at the SWOSU at Sayre campus.

Lia Spears offered to chair the committee to set up the first Saturday meeting. Roxann Clifton, Lynn Dunlap, and Kim Digby volunteered to assist. Anna Seals will notify Ms. Damon by mail of the decision and also of the intent to hold a Saturday meeting as discussed.

4. It was noted that over 700 notices for the One Voice meeting were mailed out. Pre-registration for the Spring One Voice meetings were: 21 vendors; 14 speakers; 83 members; and 49 students.

5. Hallie Keahey volunteered to chair the annual Au-dit Committee for this calendar year.

6. Delegates to the 2010 AMT National Convention were elected and the stipend was decided upon. Del-egates for this year are Kim Digby, Vernon Bass, Lynn Dunlap, Melissa Smith, Anna Seals, and Lia Spears. (Note: Due to Anna’s new job, she will only be able to attend the conference on the first day for the RPT meeting.) Also of note, there were no RMA’s that could attend this year. It was noted that the Board would offer assistance to any OKSSAMT RMA as well as other discipline members that would like to try to attend in a delegate’s capacity at future national meetings.

7. It was announced that our Oklahoma web site is up and running on the AMT web site. Roxann is cur-rently monitoring the page. Web addresses are: www.amt1.com and www.okssamt.com. Either web site is readily accessible and will show meeting notices, The Sooner Scope, and other pertinent member informa-tion.

8. Congratulations were given to Anna, Kim, and Mary on their new jobs.

9. It was announced that Roxann had won the MT of the Year award from AMT.

Dr. Richard Marlar speaks about Coagulation technique and treatments at the spring One

Voice IV seminar and business meeting held at Rose State College on April 16, 2010.

PLEASE REMEMBER DONATE TO THE

CHRIS CHRISTIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND Contact Roxann Cli�on at SWOSU at Sayre at

Roxann.cli�on@swosu.edu Let’s help our students reach their goals.

OKSSAMT Welcomes New Members

MLT

Donna Mercer - Shawnee

MT

Amy Kabrick - CordellJoleen Latschar - Oklahoma City

Ma Remy Tisha Penaflor - Shattuck

RDA

Laura Brandon - QuapawRebecca Walton - Quapaw

RMA

Dennise Beas - Oklahoma City

Kelli Berry - ChandlerTanesha Cooks - Oklahoma City

Tedara Depeza - TulsaStacy Flemings - Lawton

Tonya Johnson - Oklahoma CitySherri Mustiful - Del CityBrandi Myers - Tecumseh

Julie Parizek - Oklahoma CityTonya Ratcliff - Guthrie

Jacqueline Saywon - MuskogeeReyana Shaner - Oklahoma City

Jessica Thomas - MiamiBlanca Trevino - MooreSara Wilson - Mustang

Congratulations What an Accomplishment!

60 Year Member Anniversary

Arthur Martinez - McCalister

50 Year Member Anniversary

J. C. Mouser - Dustin

Loran Von Patton - Park HillPatricia Williams - Habel

40 Year Member Anniversary

Van Robert Berna - Choctaw

Pamela McNeil - SapulpaKaren S. Stringer - Sayre

Long Time AMT Staff Member Retires

Janine Fetro, Membership Records Specialist/Annual

Meeting Coordinator, retired in February 2010 after

22 years of service to AMT and its membership. We will miss you. Thank you so very much for all your help over the years. We wish you the best of luck

and hope you enjoy your retirement to the fullest.

Clinton Indian Health CenterCelebrates Laboratory Professionals Week with an Open House and a reception. Besides cake and punch, visi-tors were offered a tour of the lab and were eligible to win door prizes. The lab staff members were recognized

in an awards ceremony for their achievements. (Editor’s note: Each Clinton Lab employee also met and ex-ceeded the recommended continuing education credit requirements set by AMT.)

Jessica Damon, Vickey Broadbent, and Amy Kabrick

- MARK YOU CALENDARS –AMT in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12 - 17, 2010

72nd Educa�onal Program and Na�onal Mee�ngFor addi�onal informa�on, please contact:

AMT, 10700 West Higgins Road, Park Ridge, Il. 60018Phone: 1-847-823-5169 Fax: 1-847-823-0458 email: mail@amt1.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>OKSSAMT One Voice IV Fall Seminar, Oklahoma City, OK.

September 24, 2010 OKSSAMT One Voice V Spring Seminar - TBA

OKSSAMT Mee�ng SWOSU At Sayre Campus - TBAAMT In Miami, FL. - 2011 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Need a Job? Need to hire someone at your workplace? Please see our web-site: OKSSAMT.com and contact Anna Seals at annaseals@aol.com or contact Roxann Cli�on at Roxann.cli�on@swosu.edu for lis�ngs. Organiza�ons need-

ing to hire someone may also place an ad on our website for free but hurry, this free service won’t last forever. Also, na�onal job lis�ngs are available at

w w w. a m t 1 . c o m .

SUPER EASY SHERBET PUNCH

1 container Pineapple (or other flavor) Sherbet - softened1 2 liter bottle Ginger Ale

1 12 oz can of Sprite or 7-Up

Place all 3 ingredients in large punch bowl, cut up sherbet into

small pieces and stir. Serves 25 to 30.

Keynote Speaker Diana Sanchez and guest at the One Voice IV

Spring Meeting

Mary Burden and Vernon Bass meet and greet arrivals to the One

Voice IV Spring Seminar and Business Meeting.