Basic Clinical Chemistry/Serology Practicum Performance Objectives
  1. The student should perform the following clerical and sample preparation procedures:
    1. Identify name, time, and date and correlate these with specimen request.
    2. Process samples in an appropriate manner (centrifugation, refrigeration, etc.).
    3. Organize workload in separating, labeling, and dispensing sample.
      1. Construct daily work sheets for workstation.
      2. Prepare work reagents and solutions.
      3. Prepare and organize samples, QC reagents, and supplies for a test run.
    4. Determine suitability of sample for analysis.
    5. Use appropriate safety precautions in handling specimens.
  2. At any workstation, the student should be able to handle sample analysis as follows:
    1. Perform an acceptable test run with minimal assistance.
    2. Determine acceptability of test run results.
    3. Perform dilutions on urine or serum patient samples as necessary
    4. Make any appropriate calculations necessary to report results.
    5. Record or enter test results using proper computer technique.
    6. Recognize and properly handle abnormal test results with regard to notifying the supervisor, pathologist, and/or physician.
    7. Recognize and discuss possible disease states related to values obtained.
    8. For blood gases; be able to distinguish between metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis.
  3. Students should perform routine chemistry analyses during their clinical chemistry rotation using at least one discrete analyzer and one batch or profiling analyzer:
    1. Routine chemistry blood panels
    2. Osmolality (serum, urine)
    3. Lipid panels: cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides
    4. Urine routine chemistries (protein, creatinine, amylase, glucose, Na, K, etc.)
    5. CSF routine chemistries (protein, glucose)
    6. Arterial blood gases (pH, PCO2, P02, calculated values)
    7. At least 2 manual special chemistries (glycated hemoglobins, porphyrin screen, myoglobin, gastrics, plasma hemoglobin, serotonin, lithium, sweat chloride, cryoglobulin, porphobilinogen, etc.)
    8. Toxicology: ethanol, salicylates, carbon monoxide, etc. if routinely done in your laboratory
    9. Serological assays: see list at the end of objectives
  4. For any automated or semi-automated analyzers used in teaching including blood gas analyzers and back up instrumentation, the student should be able to:
    1. Perform start-up and shutdown procedures and daily maintenance
    2. Properly calibrate the instrument if needed
    3. Perform and record correct quality control measures
    4. Conduct specimen assays
    5. Demonstrate adequate knowledge of principles of operation
  5. Troubleshoot with supervision at least one instrument malfunction problem that requires using the instrument manual's troubleshooting guide and/or a phone call to the technical service department.
  6. For Quality Control, the student should do the following:
    1. Follow protocol for recording QC results and take the proper steps if results are out of control.
    2. Prepare reagents and perform and record appropriate lot # quality control checks on the reagents for at least two different procedures or instruments (may include evaluating new lot numbers of reagents).
    3. Perform preventative maintenance on at least one piece of automated equipment other than daily start-up or shutdown procedures.
  7. Student must demonstrate computer literacy by successfully performing the following:
    1. Enter patient results and release, if applicable
    2. Inquire for patient results on demand.
    3. Perform delta checks on patient results under tech supervision.