A note about the bleeding time test from Col. Lucia More at Elmendorf AFB:
Hi George! In my continuing quest to try to bring AF labs into the 21st century I’m proposing we eliminate bleeding times in AF labs and stop teaching the test in our lab tech training program.
Col More continues…
In order to do that I am trying to provide a tool that addresses the needs/questions that will come from the doctors at both small outpatient clinic labs and larger labs. I don’t want to put our less “seasoned” lab officers in the position of not being able to explain why it isn’t available and what to do instead. I’ve attached a short article I put together from some of the references. I’m working on adding to it and will be doing a workshop at the Society of Armed Forced Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAFMLS). Dave McGlasson and I are going to do a four-hour update on cool coag stuff at the meeting in Reno in March.
I am compiling a list of major facilities that no longer offer bleeding times. Here is what I have so far:
Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA; University Hospital, San Antonio, TX; Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, TX; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, TN; St. Luke’s Regional Laboratories, Kansas City, Missouri. [I’ll add University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham, AL (Geo)]
Do you know of others? Perhaps you could get some feedback through your website? I spoke to Dr. Michael Laposata the other day to get an expert opinion and he applauded my efforts to bring the USAF up to speed. Anyway, I appreciate any help you are willing to give me.
LUCIA E. MORE, Lt Col, USAF, BSC
Laboratory Flight Commander
Attachment: Bleeding Time Notice from Col. L. More
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