The Diagnostic Testing Process.pptVIP

Module 2 The Diagnostic Testing Process Case Scenario 1 In order to make their daily work-flow smoother, a resident and intern on a busy inpatient service include the following order when they admit any patient: Draw daily CBC, CMP, PT, PTT, Magnesium, Ionized Calcium and Phosphorous x 30 days Comment on this approach to their care of patients. Photo by Elizabeth Wantuch,MD Case Scenario 1Discussion 4 major roles for laboratory tests in patient care: Diagnosis of disease Monitoring of disease, therapies, interventions Screening for disease Research Case Scenario 1Discussion The resident and intern (though perhaps well-intentioned) are not properly utilizing laboratory testing and the clinical laboratory They are not ordering specific laboratory tests based on clinical questions AND in doing so they are Increasing the cost of healthcare Contributing to the development of iatrogenic anemia Leading to potentially unnecessary work-up if any errors in the diagnostic testing process occur Laboratory testing begins and ends with patient care Clinician develops a clinical question Specific laboratory test is selected Test is ordered Specimen is collected Sample is prepared for analysis Sample is analyzed Result is verified Result is reported Test result is interpreted in context of clinical scenario Action is taken Patient care is affected Image by Theresa Kristopaitis, MD Diagnostic Testing – 3 Phases The diagnostic testing process can be separated into three phases: Preanalytic phase Analytic phase Post analytic phase Variables that may affect proper interpretation of test results are present in each phase. Test result changes due to clinical factors must be interpreted in consideration of these variables. Clinician develops a clinical question Specific laboratory test is selected Test is ordered Specimen is collected Sample is prepared for analysis Sample is analyzed Result is verified Result is reported Test result is interpreted in context of cl