Introduction to the
Principles of Laboratory
Medicine
Photos by Theresa Kristopaitis, MD
The lab is
calling with a
critical
value…
Are the labs back
yet?
We need the
labs before
the patient
can____
Bring the
fluid down to
the lab STAT
Was the lab
drawn?
The Clinical Laboratory Plays a
Key Role in Patient Care
O The goals of the “Introduction to the
Principles of Laboratory Medicine” modules
are for healthcare professionals to
O Recognize the important role that laboratory
medicine professionals have within the
healthcare team
O Gain basic understanding of the laboratory
testing process
O Improve patient care
Objectives
O The learner will:
O Define “laboratory medicine” and “clinical pathology”.
O Describe the diagnostic testing process
O Define the three phases of the laboratory testing process:
O
O
O
O
O
O
preanalytical, analytical and post analytical
Give examples of variables in each phase of the laboratory
testing process
Define the term “critical value”
Define “point of care testing”
Define “reference lab”
Define “reference range” and describe in general terms how
references ranges are determined.
Apply the principles of laboratory medicine to provide better
patient care
Contents
O Module 1
O What is clinical laboratory medicine?
O Module 2
O The diagnostic testing process
O Module 3
O Preanalytic Phase of Laboratory Testing
O Module 4
O Analaytic Phase of Laboratory Testing
O Module 5
O Postanalytic Phase of Laboratory Testing
O Module 6
O Establishing Reference Ranges