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 […]

Quick Question Archive

What Result Triggers a PTT Mix? QQ Summary

Here is the summary of our October-November, 2015 Quick Question, “What PTT value initiates a PTT mixing study in your laboratory?” The question drew 157 responses. Any PTT result longer than the upper limit of the reference interval: 25% PTT result longer than the upper limit of the reference interval pending physician consult: 18% PTT […]

Mixing Study Correction Survey

Here are the results of our July, 2015 mixing study correction Quick Question survey: When performing PTT mixing studies using normal control plasma (NP), what criterion do you use to define correction? A. Mix results within 10% of NP result—60 votes, 32% B. Mix results within 5 seconds of NP result—20 votes, 11% C. Mix […]

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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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