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Quick Question: Blood Collection

Here is a summary of our Feb-Apr, 2011 Quick Question: What is your most frequent specimen collection error? a. Short draw: 82 (49%) b. Patient misidentified: 5 (3%) c. Wrong test orders: 10 (6%) d. Specimen clotted: 17 (10%) e. Specimen hemolyzed: 54 (32%) These results are self-explanatory except perhaps “patient misidentified,” which was reported […]

The results are in…

and it is time to say thank you. National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is April 24–30. To celebrate, George has updated all 23 audio learning modules and added five new modules: Prothrombin Time, Partial Thromboplastin Time, PTT Mixing Studies, Thrombin Time (including the Clauss Fibrinogen assay and Reptilase Time), and Factor Assays. The modules are all available at no […]

Is it Factor V Leiden, or Factor V Deficiency

From Tiffany Whittle: Is there a difference between factor V Leiden mutation and factor V deficiency? The reason I ask is that when I donate blood and tell them I am FV Leiden positive they “call” to see if I can donate, since only FV deficiency is in their book. They have told me to always say I […]

Storage Time for Factor-deficient Plasma

From DF Moreno in Argentina: Hi again. In my hospital we store fractionated samples of calibrator and plasma depleted of factors V, VII, VIII, II, and thrombin for fibrinogen in a freezer to -70°. How much time can it last? Inserts don’t mention or recommend anything about it. in my opinion, freezing is a good […]

Unexpectedly Prolonged PT

Hi, I’m from Argentina and I work in a hemostasis lab. I have a little question for now: an anticoagulated woman had a prolonged prothrombin time (PT). The coagulometer read +++, meaning more than 300 seconds and an INR more than 20. However she wasn’t bleeding. What could be the reason? Hello, and thank you […]

Diane Schafer

I am deeply sorry to inform you of the untimely death of our dear friend and colleagueDiane Schafer on Sunday, April 10, 2011. Those of us who have worked in the world of hemostasis for a few years knew Diane not only as a thoroughgoing professional but as an engaging and welcome friend. As you know, […]

Veterinary Normal Ranges

From Joanna Carroll: What recommendations would you make for veterinary medicine? I work at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Teaching Hospital. We just purchased a new automated coag analyzer, the Stago STA Satellite. Currently we have the semi-automated STart 4 by Stago. We have not been using Stago reagents, but we will probably switch […]

Save the Date: Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute June 2-3

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute will host the “Case-oriented Symposium on Coagulation and Cardiovascular Disease” on June 2 and 3 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa, Newport Beach, CA. Course Directors are Jeffrrey S. Dlott, MD, Mervyn Sahud, MD, and Laura Worfolk, PhD. Click here for more information on conferences and symposia.

ASCLS-Tennessee “Science on Rocky Top”

The Tennessee Annual Laboratory Conference is planned for this week, Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1 at the University of Tennessee Conference Center, 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN. Parking is provided at the Locust Street Garage and accommodations are at the Hilton Hotel, Downtown Knoxville, 501 West Church Street. George is making two presentations on Thursday, March […]

Heparin in Pneumonia

Here is an interesting note from Betty Ciesla, MS, MT (ASCP) SH, my colleague fromMorgan State University, Baltimore, MD, a frequent contributor to Medlab_L, and author of Hematology in Practice: Hi George. My mom age 85 was recently hospitalized for pneumonia. Although she was on IVs she was mobile for 3 days. They gave her a shot […]

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George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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