CPD: Analytical variables – The Blood Count and Film Manual

The course will cover the following topics in detail:

1. Introduction to Laboratory Errors: Understand the different phases of laboratory testing where errors can occur—pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical—and learn how these errors can impact patient care and diagnosis.

2. Principles of Quality Assurance: Explore the fundamental principles of precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in laboratory testing, and understand how these principles ensure the reliability of test results.

3. Error Identification and Mitigation: Learn how to identify common sources of errors in the laboratory, including equipment malfunction, operator error, and issues with laboratory reagents, and discover strategies to mitigate these risks.

4. Factors Influencing Sample Errors: Delve into the various factors that can lead to sample errors, including patient-specific variables, administrative errors, collection techniques, and post-collection handling.

5. Causes of Sample Rejection: Discuss the most common reasons for sample rejection in haematology laboratories, such as clotted samples, improper anticoagulant-to-blood ratios, and labelling errors, and explore ways to prevent these issues.

6. Patient-Specific Factors: Understand how individual patient characteristics, such as the presence of pseudothrombocytopenia, lipaemia, or icteric samples, can influence test results and how to account for these variables in laboratory analysis.

7. Sample Collection and Handling: Learn about the best practices for blood sample collection and handling, including the use of proper equipment, avoidance of haemolysis, and strategies to maintain sample integrity during transport and storage.

8. Post-Collection Handling and Processing: Gain insights into the critical aspects of post-collection handling, such as effective labelling, transportation, and the timely processing of samples to ensure accurate diagnostic outcomes.

We will use video tutorials with English captions and an end-of-course assessment that awards a certificate upon successful completion.

It is estimated this course will take you 1-2 hours to complete.

The target audience for this course are:

• Biomedical scientists/medical laboratory scientists
• Haematology trainees and consultants
• Haematopathology trainees and specialists

Your course certificate will be available for download after successfully completing the course assessment. If you have difficulty downloading your certificate, please email admin@blood-academy.com for further assistance.

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