LAMP 7186: Laboratory Medicine in a Community Hospital

Course Availability:   2007-2008   2008-2009   2009-2010

Length 4 or 6 weeks
Sites HC
Periods Offered All periods (See "Special Instructions", below)
Limit 1
Course Director Dr. Fred Apple , (612) 873-3324
Contact Linda Moyer, (612) 873-6479
Report First Day:  8:30 a.m. Pathology Office:4th Floor, Purple Building: see Linda Moyer

Description

The student will specialize in one or two areas of the clinical lab but will participate in all its general teaching activities. The student will make rounds on patients having abnormal or interesting laboratory results and will be expected to attend and present at clinical conferences and rounds that are laboratory medicine oriented. The student will work directly with several staff members who will provide suggestions for projects, independent readings, and discussion cases.. The importance of quality assurance, appropriate laboratory utilization, and the role of the clinical pathologist serving as a consultant will be emphasized. Opportunities to work on special projects are available.

Goals and Objectives

This course builds appreciation of the correlation between clinical presentations and laboratory results from the perspective of a busy general hospital clinical laboratory. Following the rotation, the student should be able to:

  • discuss the clinical significance of laboratory test results, including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, blood bank, immunology, toxicology, cytogenetics, involving sensitivity, specificity, reference ranges, and sources of false positives and negatives;
  • suggest clinical pathways and or testing algorithm for disease specific workups;
  • understand the evolving role of molecular biology in diagnostic laboratory medicine;
  • understand the role of forensic laboratory medicine testing regarding drug screening and medical examiner pathology;
  • understand the changing local, state, and federal guidelines that regulate clinical laboratory testing; and
  • understand the role of point of care testing at the bedside.

Evaluation

Evaluation is based on performance and involvement, including formal presentations to medical and house staff.

Special Instructions

At least one month prior to beginning elective, students must contact Dr. Apple.

 

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