Quick Question Archive

August Quick Question: Fibrinolysis

Here are the results of our August, 2017 Quick Question with 68 total votes: How do you test for fibrinolysis? a. TEG or TEM: 9 (13%) b. D-dimer: 36 (53%) c. Plasminogen: 0 (0%) d. PAI-1: 1 (1%) e. D-dimer plus plasminogen: 10 (15%) f. D-dimer, plasminogen, and PAI-1: 6 (9%) f. We don’t test […]

QQ for 7-17: Specimen Storage

Our July, 2017 Quick Question was, “How do you store plasma specimens when coagulation testing is delayed to beyond 48 hours?“ We totaled 86 responses, and here are the results: Controlled refrigerator at 1–6°C 9% (8) Controlled freezer at –20°C 33% (28) Household freezer at ~ –20°C 3% (3) Controlled freezer at –70°C 55% (47) […]

Quick Question Archive

Quick Question: Mixing Study Results

The stem of our June, 2017 Quick Question was, “In a PTT mixing study, the patient’s initial PTT is 67 s, RI 25–35. The PTT is repeated after mixing 1:1 with NP, and the new result is 63 s, NP 30 s. What do you do next?” This was a quiz question with a correct […]

Quick Question: Specimen Hemolysis

Here are the 6-7-17 results of our latest Quick Question survey. The topic of specimen hemolysis came up in a lengthy December 6, 2016 entry featuring comments from Dennis Ernst, Center for Phlebotomy Education. Q: What approach do your facility’s nurses use to reduce specimen hemolysis at the time they are starting IVs? a. Collect […]

Quick Question Archive

Specimen Hemolysis Quick Question

We’ve closed our November, 2016 Quick Question, “How do you manage hemostasis specimens with visible hemolysis?” Here are your answers: It all depends, please see my comment: 14 respondents, 18% Discard specimen and notify the patient or caregiver: 27 respondents, 37% Perform the requested assay and append a comment: 17 respondents, 23% Perform the assay […]

Quick Question Archive

New Quick Question: Hemolysis

Please check out and answer our new Quick Question, “How do you manage hemostasis specimens with visible hemolysis?”

Quick Question Archive

Quick Question Results: Bethesda Titers

The results of our latest Quick Question are in with 87 responses.. How does your laboratory measure factor inhibitors? Standard Bethesda assay: 33% (26) Bethesda titer using buffered pH 7.4 pooled normal plasma: 9% (8) Nijmegen Bethesda assay using factor-depelted plasma as diluent: 9% (8) CDC modification of Nimegen Bethesda assay: 0% (0) Bethesda chromogenic […]

Bleeding Disorders

PT and PTT Reference Interval

Here are the results of our latest Quick Question: How many normal subject specimens do you collect to establish a PT and PTT reference interval? a. 240: 7 votes, 3% b. 120: 79 votes, 35% c. 30: 51 votes, 23% d. 20: 79 votes, 35% e. Other: 9 votes, 4% Comments excerpted from Fritsma GA. […]

Quick Question Archive

Subjects in Reference Interval Study

Mona Murphy, Pathology Laboratory, Lewiston, ME reports using 20 males and 20 females in a normal range study.

Quick Question Archive

Reference Intervals: December QQ

We’ve just posted a new Quick Question, and have already received this response from Heather DeVries, Indiana University Health. I just logged in and saw the new Quick Question. I am excited to be the first to respond! Of course my answer is not simple. As a system, we use close to 300 normals to […]

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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.

Cheat Sheets from George

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