Clinical Scientists – Get Involved with LabsAreVital

22 Aug 2013
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Industry news

The ownership and leadership of the LabsAreVital program has passed from its founder, Abbott Laboratories, to a new Consortium Board. Senior representatives from the professional bodies ASCP, IFBLS, IFCC and WASPaLM now make up the Consortium Board, and a new community-led program is emerging.

At the core of the new program is a new web platform which can be found at: www.labsarevital.com.

The new community website exists so that laboratory professionals can share their experiences with each other. Individual case studies will highlight how laboratory medicine affects each individual patient experience. The website will feature articles from laboratory professionals describing current topics and IVD developments, discussion about which will be encouraged to increase the value of the profession. The program will provide opportunities to connect with peers globally to share strategies, successes, and opportunities in promoting the field of laboratory medicine.


How to get involved with LabsAreVital

Want to get involved with LabsAreVital but not sure where to start? This ‘How To’ guide will show you the way…

1. Commenting on blogs

Register - To comment, you must first register on the LabsAreVital site using the button at the top of the page. This will only require your name and email address.

Comment – Using the text box at the bottom of each blog.

Wait – Comments may not appear for up to 2 days, as all comments are moderated.

2. Contributing a blog

Pick your category - Blogs on the LabsAreVital site fall into 7 categories:

• Community Experience
• Ensuring Patient Safety
• Evidence of Clinical Value (HEOR/individual patients)
• Disease State Management /Patient Pathways
• Drive for Innovation and Smarter Diagnostics
• Work Culture and Career Choices/Development
• Controversies in Laboratory Medicine

Blog template – Write your blog using the LabsAreVital Blog Template in the toolkit, to make sure you send through all the information we need.

Guidelines - Check out the Blog Guidelines in the toolkit for a step by step guide to choosing a topic and writing a great blog for the LabsAreVital site. If you would like any input on your blog topic or you have any further questions, please email labsarevitalevolution@ascp.org

Email your blog – Email your finished blog to labsarevitalevolution@ascp.org. We will get back to you with the date that it will be uploaded within a few days.

3. Adding an Event to the LabsAreVital Calendar

Email the following details to labsarevitalevolution@ascp.org:

• Title
• Date and time
• Location
• Description


Click here to see Graham Beastall and Ellis Jacobs from the IFCC tell SelectScience a little bit more about the Labs Are Vital initiative at the AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo 2013 last month.

Tags

Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. Screening is essential to avoid transfusion reactions. Blood banks use immunohematological techniques to determine rh and ABO blood group, and screen for antibodies using specific antisera. Blood Banks use Direct Coombs Tests (DCT) and Indirect Coombs Tests (IAT) to detect hemolysis and Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Embryology / IVFEmbryology refers to the development of an embryo resulting from the fertilization of the ovum, to fetus stage. In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to the fertilization of the egg outside of the human body, and is an important treatment for infertility.