Clinical Laboratory Science : Journal of the American Society for Medical Technology

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the responses of 3,265 health professionals who took a continuing education (CE) activity during June 2009 - April 2012 for a comprehensive set of good laboratory practice recommendations for molecular genetic testing. DESIGN: Participants completed an evaluation questionnaire as part of the CE activity. Responses were summarized to assess the participants' learning outcomes and commitment to applying the knowledge gained...

Successful research outcomes require selection and implementation of the appropriate research design. A realistic sampling plan appropriate for the design is essential. Qualitative or quantitative methodology may be utilized, depending on the research question and goals. Quantitative research may be experimental where there is an intervention, or nonexperimental, if no intervention is included in the design. Causation can only be established with experimental research. Popular types of nonexperimental research include descriptive and survey research...

The focus on scholarly productivity as an outcome measure for performance evaluations of personnel and/or units and benchmarking purposes is increasing in both the academic and clinical settings. This article presents avenues for identifying achievable research projects in both the academic and clinical settings. Factors for consideration when selecting a project include its significance or impact on the profession, feasibility for implementing the project, and ethical issues related to human subjects protection...

Rapid advancements in diagnostic technologies coupled with growth in testing options and choices mandate the development of evidence-based testing algorithms linked to the care paths of the major chronic diseases and health challenges encountered most frequently. As care paths are evaluated, patient/consumers become partners in healthcare delivery. Clinical laboratory scientists find themselves firmly embedded in both quality improvement and clinical research with an urgent need to translate clinical laboratory information into knowledge required by practitioners and patient/consumers alike...

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A review of professional literature was conducted to examine the history of the education of medical laboratory practitioners. This comprehensive review included historical educational milestones from World War II to present day. During this time period the standard of two years of college required for matriculation into a medical technology program increased to four years. Critical thinking skills promoted in the educational model and applied in practice expanded from an analytic and psychomotor orientation to include those requiring extensive situational interpretation and negotiation...

A review of professional literature was conducted to examine the history of the education of medical laboratory practitioners. This comprehensive review included historical educational milestones from the birth of medical technology to the advent of World War II. During this time period standards were developed by clinical pathologists for laboratory personnel and training programs. In addition, a formal educational model began to form and by the 1940's two years of college was required for matriculation into a medical technology program...

Good communication and critical thinking are essential skills for all successful professionals, including Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Laboratory Science (CLS/MLS) practitioners. Professional programs can incorporate writing assignments into their curricula to improve student written communication and critical thinking skills. Clearly defined, scenario-focused writing assignments provide student practice in clearly articulating responses to proposed problems or situations, researching and utilizing informational resources, and applying and synthesizing relevant information...

An entire series could be dedicated to the topic of ethics in personalized medicine. Due to the advancements in NGS and genetic testing, personalized medicine is no longer something that will occur in the future, the reality is upon us now. Sequencing an individual's genome can have a substantial impact on the patient's treatment and overall quality of life. However, this can open "Pandora's box" especially if an individual does not want to know the information obtained. In addition, will insurance companies require genetic testing in order to pay for a targeted treatment? If the patient refuses to have the genetic testing, will they have to pay for their treatment out of pocket? In the human interest story presented, the researcher and his team discovered over activity of the FTL3 protein through RNA sequencing which resulted in rapid proliferation of his leukemic cells...

Next generation sequencing platforms and the applications that are offered have revolutionized the way a physician will treat and monitor a patient based on the individual's own genetic make-up. Whether whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, or targeted sequencing is performed, the information generated must be analyzed, interpreted, and reported correctly. Since the various platforms and application panels are not FDA cleared (with the exception of the Illumina MiSeqDx Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Sequencing Assay and the Illumina MiSeqDx Cystic Fibrosis 139-Variant Assay) clinical laboratorians are faced with the challenge of standardizing and validating the various panels and platforms for appropriate quality management...

The advent of DNA sequencing technologies and the various applications that can be performed will have a dramatic effect on medicine and healthcare in the near future. There are several DNA sequencing platforms available on the market for research and clinical use. Based on the medical laboratory scientist or researcher's needs and taking into consideration laboratory space and budget, one can chose which platform will be beneficial to their institution and their patient population. Although some of the instrument costs seem high, diagnosing a patient quickly and accurately will save hospitals money with fewer hospital stays and targeted treatment based on an individual's genetic make-up...

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A survey of members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) in 2012 examined laboratory administrators' views on retention incentives and older Clinical Laboratory Professionals (CLP). Results indicated that retention strategies currently in place are not concordant with the ones CLP think are important. Further, with the exception of ergonomic equipment, administrators reported low feasibility for the workplace changes favored by practitioners. While all administrators attributed positive traits to older CLP, older administrators held more favorable views...

A survey of members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) was taken in May, 2012 to study workplace incentives and personal factors that could encourage clinical laboratory professionals (CLP) to continue working past retirement eligibility. Benefits, compensation, and opportunity for part-time work were key retention incentives identified by CLP in all age and job function groups. Career stage was shown to play a significant role in how CLP rated the importance of several retirement incentives, suggesting that age differences exist in workplace factors and personal motivators for continuing to work...

A survey to assess the retirement plans of clinical laboratory professionals (CLP) and the factors that would influence those plans was distributed to members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) in May, 2012. A majority of respondents (65%) between 50-62 years indicated that there was a greater than 50% chance they would be working after age 62. Only 15.8% of the respondents thought that there was a greater than 50% chance that they would be working full time after they retired from their current job...

Approximately 60% to 70% of all health care decisions are based on laboratory test results; therefore, it is important to ensure that patient laboratory results are communicated to the physician in a timely fashion. The objective of this study was to assess the delivery of critical laboratory results in outpatient physician offices in Delaware. Contact information for physician offices was obtained using the Highmark. Blue Cross Blue Shield. physician provider directory. A survey was created using a series of questions regarding the procurement and timely communication of critical laboratory results...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The intent of the Affordable Care Act is to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare while significantly reducing the cost burden for this country. It is estimated that an additional 32 million individuals will be covered. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this legislation will reduce the deficit by $143 billion in the first 10 years (2011-2020) with an additional $1.2 trillion in savings during the subsequent decade. comprehend and change. That is why it has taken so long to pass any legislation related to this issue...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.