Clinical Chemistry I Week 1 Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: Clinical Chemistry I
• Course code: 0202304
• Instructor: Mohammad QABAJAH
• Email: [email protected]

Week 1: Introduction - EBM

• Objectives:
  • Explain the reasons for performing a laboratory test.
  • Describe the field of laboratory medicine.
  • Describe sub-disciplines, information handling, and ethical issues.
  • State the importance of confidentiality in the laboratory.
  • Justify practicing evidence-based laboratory medicine.

Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Medicine

• Laboratory medicine encompasses the selection, provision, and interpretation of diagnostic tests.
• This discipline includes research, administration, teaching activities, and clinical services.

Testing in the Laboratory

• Laboratory tests are directed towards:
  • Confirming clinical suspicions.
  • Excluding a diagnosis.
  • Assisting in the selection, optimization, and monitoring of treatment.
  • Providing a prognosis.
  • Screening for diseases in the absence of symptoms.
  • Monitoring the severity of physiological disturbances.

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

• The boundaries between clinical chemistry and other laboratory medicine parts are becoming less distinct due to molecular testing.
• IFCC (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) is the governing body.

Laboratory Medicine

• The field of clinical laboratories continues to grow.
• Hundreds of millions of laboratory analyses are conducted annually.
• More than 70% of objective patient data comes from the clinical lab.
• Laboratory types vary within healthcare institutions.

Clinical Laboratory Fields

• Chemistry/Immunoassay
• Hematology/Coagulation
• Blood Bank/Apheresis
• Endocrinology
• Immunoserology
• Microbiology (including Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology)
• Urinalysis/Fluid Analysis/Medical Microscopy
• Molecular Pathology
• Cytogenetics
• Tissue Typing/HLA
• Toxicology

Reference Lab

• Some labs perform tests at reference labs ("send-out labs").
• Clinical reference labs provide testing for patients and healthcare providers.
• Reference labs frequently handle specialized tests requiring specialized equipment.

Laboratory Testing Process Overview

• The process involves pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases.
• The Pre-analytic phase includes ordering, sample collection, and transport.
• The Analytic phase includes testing the specimen.
• The Post-Analytic phase includes reporting and interpretation of results.

Laboratory Department

• Pre-analytic phase (35%), analytic phase (25%), Post-analytic phase (15%), sending (5%).

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)-

-Past clinical practices were based on doctor's experience, weak experiments performed by drug companies, and animal studies.

• This is not sufficient for human medicine, given individuals' unique differences.

• Therefore, EBM was developed to combine medical knowledge with individual patients' needs.

• EBM components consist of the patient, a physician with knowledge of medical practices and expertise, and medical information resources

• The 5 steps to EBM process includes Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply and Assess.

• Medical knowledge and expertise should be updated.

• Continuing medical education is crucial.

• EBM is a critical approach in clinical care.

Basis of Medical Practices

• Training, clinical experience, consultation with other medical professionals.
• Convincing non-experimental evidence (articles, case reports, product literature).
• Patient preferences.
• Active search for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis Reports.

Purpose of Evidence Based Medicine

• Distinguish evidence from misinformation/propaganda.
• Understand probability vs. certainty.
• Differentiate data from claims.
• Separate rational beliefs from superstitions.
• Distinguish science from folklore.
• Differentiate theories from dogma.

Evidence Based Medicine- Characteristics

• Clinical practice based on the most current evidence.
• Compassionate, patient-oriented patient care.
• Problem-solving approach to learning, teaching, and research.

Three Major Components of Evidence Based Medicine

• Patient and their needs.
• Healthcare practitioner (physician).
• Current medical information (resources).

Clinical Question

• The clinical question is the first and arguably most critical step in the EBM process.
• A well-formulated clinical question leads to identifying the relevant literature.

Asking Good Questions:

• Good clinical questions are essential in EBM. Clarify clinical issues, be specific, and be concise.

EBM Question Factors

• Patient (P): Type of Patient
• Exposure (E): Environmental, personal, biological
• Intervention (I): Clinical intervention
• Comparison (C): Compare alternative treatments
• Outcome (O): Clinical outcome to observe

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of Clinical Laboratory Medicine with this Week 1 quiz. Explore the importance of laboratory tests, ethical considerations, and the principles of evidence-based practice in laboratory settings.