SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SPECIMEN HANDLING”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia in patients with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders.

One hundred and four patients with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders and 5,690 control subjects were screened for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their sera. Lymphoproliferative disorders included in the study were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), non Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), Hodgkin's disease (HD), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and multiple myeloma (MM). Screening was done by the Reverse Passive Haemagglutination method using the Welcome kit. The percentage antigenaemia in the patients and control subjects were 35.6 and 7.7% respectively (p less than 0.0001). Using the Odds ratio the relative risk was found to be 6.75. The Odds ratio for individual disorders ranged from 2.8 to 9.17. The results suggest an association between Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders and highlights the risk involved in handling specimens from the patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Vitamin C analysis in whole blood, plasma and cells using reduced glutathione as preservative (stabilizer): losses and redistribution.

The losses and redistribution of vitamin C in blood fractions (stabilized with reduced glutathione) during 4 hours of storage at room temperature in the dark was studied among 27 elderly women. Storage did not have a statistically significant (p greater than 0.05) effect on the mean vitamin C levels in cells, plasma and whole blood. The results point to a redistribution of vitamin C among blood fractions. It is concluded that vitamin C concentrations in cells rather than in plasma should be the principal indicator of the vitamin C status when blood (stabilized with reduced glutathione) is stored at room temperature before specimen handling.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Strategies of organization and service for the critical-care laboratory.

Critical-care medicine requires rapidity of treatment decisions and clinical management. To meet the objectives of critical-care medicine, the critical-care laboratory must consider four major aspects of laboratory organization in addition to analytical responsibilities: specimen collection and delivery, training of technologists, selection of reliable instrumentation, and efficient data dissemination. One must also consider the advantages and disadvantages of centralization vs decentralization, the influence of such a laboratory on patient care and personnel needs, and the space required for optimal operation. Centralization may lead to workflow interruption and increased turnaround time (TAT); decentralization requires redundancy of instrumentation and staff but may shorten TAT. Minimal TAT is the hallmark of efficient laboratory service. We surveyed 55 laboratories in 33 hospitals and found that virtually all hospitals with 200 or more beds had a critical-care laboratory operating as a satellite of the main laboratory. We present data on actual TAT, although these were available in only eight of the 15 routine laboratories that provided emergency service and in eight of the 40 critical-care laboratories. In meeting the challenges of an increasing workload, a reduced clinical laboratory work force, and the need to reduce TAT, changes in traditional laboratory practice are mandatory. An increased reliance on whole-blood analysis, for example, should eliminate delays associated with sample preparation, reduce the potential hazards associated with centrifugation, and eliminate excess specimen handling.

Centralized Hospital Services↗

PubMed1989

Organization and operation of a flow cytometric immunophenotyping laboratory.

Technical advances in the field of flow cytometry have made it feasible for many academic and private hospital laboratories to purchase relatively inexpensive "user friendly" flow cytometers that do not require dedicated flow cytometer operators, special rooms, or a significant amount of laboratory space. Because the financial and physical constraints in operating a flow cytometer have been substantially reduced, many pathologists may now be considering such a purchase. By chronicling the clinical activities of a single flow cytometric immunophenotyping laboratory, this report will answer a variety of questions that may be asked by pathologists regarding both the utility of flow cytometers in clinical diagnosis and the mechanics of operating an immunophenotyping laboratory. The types of tissues that can be evaluated by flow cytometry will be detailed, and we will summarize the number and type of flow cytometric clinical studies performed in our laboratory since its development in 1983. Practical aspects of laboratory operation including technical staff requirements, specimen handling and processing procedures, monoclonal antibody selection, and quality control procedures will be presented. In addition, a comprehensive review of flow cytometric immunophenotyping studies as applied to the diagnosis of leukemias, lymphomas, and immunodeficiency disorders will be presented along with case examples that illustrate our approach to the interpretation of immunophenotyping results.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Quality assurance in anatomic pathology.

Comprehensive quality assurance in anatomic pathology must address several levels of laboratory operation: procedural/technical issues, the quality of the diagnostic report, and the medical consultative role of the pathologist. Procedural/technical quality control in anatomic pathology differs very little from that practiced in the various sections of clinical pathology. Assessment of the quality of the final report is a major responsibility of the pathologist who renders the diagnosis. Guidelines that systematically address such issues as specimen handling and the content of the diagnostic report are effective in promoting consistency, completeness, and the clinical relevance of the information provided. Quality assessment of the pathologist's consultative role is more difficult to define and implement. However, systematic evaluation and correlative review of all available diagnostic information, appropriate use of consultation and case review, and participation in continuing education and self-assessment activities all may contribute to and help document the quality of services provided. It is important to emphasize the value of flexibility in designing a comprehensive quality assurance program for anatomic pathology. Departments differ markedly in characteristics such as staff size, subspecialty interests, teaching commitments, and volume and type of case material. Nevertheless, the general principles of written organization, systematic monitoring, and documentation of adherence to the program should be followed. Just as the design of the program may benefit from flexibility, the laboratory should be prepared to modify its quality control and assurance techniques and implement corrective measures should surveillance identify problems such as frequent typographic errors, inadequate diagnostic information, or deterioration in correlation between frozen section and final diagnoses. The ultimate objective of all of these efforts is to provide the referring physician with an accurate, clinically relevant diagnostic report, thereby enhancing the pathologist's role as a valued medical consultant.

Pathology, Clinical↗

PubMed1973

Evaluation of virological laboratory methods for smallpox diagnosis.

Between July 1966 and May 1972 the Vesicular Disease Laboratory, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga., USA, tested specimens from 849 suspected smallpox cases by at least 2 methods, electron microscopy and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) cultures. A smaller number of specimens was tested by each of 4 methods: electron microscopy, CAM culture, agar gel precipitation, and tissue culture. For specimens handled in the field the CAM culture method was less sensitive than electron microscopy because the adverse conditions often inactivated the virus. CAM cultures were valuable for identifying members of the poxvirus subgroups, however, particularly when supplemented by tissue culture. The agar gel precipitation test was the least sensitive but was of value in confirming the results of electron microscopy. The latter was highly effective for the diagnosis of varicella, but dependably identified only about half of the vaccinia infections; for vaccinia, the CAM technique was essential. The occurrence of human monkeypox cases in West Africa emphasized that the usual smallpox diagnostic methods were inadequate. More sophisticated tests, such as the rabbit dermal sensitivity test, are necessary for accurate diagnosis of these cases as monkeypox.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Preanalytic variables. A management problem.

The problem of preanalytic variables in patient testing is a serious one. Although these considerations are often neglected, they can and do cause the best performed laboratory tests to yield completely spurious information. The laboratory director, by training and responsibility, is the appropriate individual to establish controls for eliminating errors. In this article the proper handling of specimens for common tests is outlined for every area of the laboratory except the blood bank.

Blood Cell Count↗

PubMed1984

Collection and handling of 24-hour urine specimens for measurement of analytes related to renal calculi.

Analysis for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, oxalate, uric acid, and creatinine in 24-h urine collections is often needed for the differential diagnosis of patients with renal calculi. Considerable attention has been given to improving the methods of analysis, but improper sample collection and processing can cause significant errors for calcium and oxalate in urine samples not treated with acid and for uric acid in urine samples not treated with base. The errors are related to the concentration of the analyte, the interval the sample is stored before analysis, and the original pH of the urine sample. We describe here a system of sequential acidification (to pH 1.5) and alkalinization (to pH 9) of 24-h urine samples, followed by heating at 56 degrees C for 10 min. This procedure allows accurate analysis for all the above analytes in the same 24-h collection of urine. We validated the sample-treatment protocol for 80 24-h urine collections.

Calcium↗

PubMed1984

Theoretical and practical aspects of receptor hormone assay in breast cancer.

The Authors have discussed the importance of ER/PR assay in breast cancer care. 162 patients were studied. The dextran-coated charcoal technique was used as the standard most readily available. The Authors point out the importance of specimen handling as is shown by time-decay studies, and the differences in ER/PR level at the time of the biopsy and mastectomy cut-section, and its eventual influence to better understanding assay results. The establishment of a center of control between different labs would also help in the development of more exact regimens for cancer care.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1980

Preparation of experimental animal tissue for SEM.

Methods for preparing experimental animal tissues for the scanning electron microscope (SEM) have evolved from so many sources, with such lack of standardization that interpretation of the results is difficult, and inter-investigation comparisons usually impossible. To distinguish the surface changes inherent in any protocol for the preparation of bulk tissue blocks from those produced by experimentation or disease, the preparative procedures must become standardized at least to the extent that preparation for light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is standardized. Rationales for the selection of a particular preparative procedure which will result in minimal alteration from the living tissue are discussed. The methods for handling the specimen, stabilization, dehydration and drying, rendering the surface conductive, and exposing the surface of interest are described for a wide variety of experimental animals. The use of SEM to yield maximum morphological information in the secondary electron mode is also described, as are the methods used for evaluating the results in terms of minimal distortion due to preparative procedures.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Automated intelligent microscopy (AIM) and its potential application in the clinical laboratory.

The microscope is the most ubiquitous instrument in the clinical laboratory. We discuss improvements in its use, in terms of "front-end" automation of specimen handling and "back-end" automation of image analysis: automated intelligent microscopy. Examples of spatial and spectral differentiation illustrate the potential of this automated version of microscopy as a useful tool with very powerful analytical capabilities for the clinical laboratory.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Serologic diagnosis of hepatitis C infection. Review of available tests.

Several tests are currently available to assist in the diagnosis of the hepatitis C virus. These tests can be classified as antibody tests (ELISA, RIBA, and MATRIX-HCV) or tests that actually detect or quantify the hepatitis C virus (PCR techniques). These tests vary in cost, technical complexity, specimen handling requirements, and diagnostic information achieved. Those tests currently available to the clinician are reviewed along with their associated benefits and disadvantages.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

PubMed1994

Methods of microwave fixation for microscopy. A review of research and clinical applications: 1970-1992.

Microwave fixation methods are important because excellent preservation of both cell structure and antigenicity can be attained several orders of magnitude faster than by routine chemical fixation methods. Fast and ultrafast microwave fixation have yielded significant logistic advantages over another fast fixation approach-rapid freezing at liquid helium temperatures. For example, specimens used for microwave fixation can be as large as 1 cm3 and cells can remain in suspension. We review in detail both qualitative and quantitative morphologic results obtained by using microwave fixation in sample preparation. We provide tables of biological molecules that are preserved in a variety of human and animal tissues by various microwave fixation methods for histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and affinity labelling studies. Limitations of large cavity (e.g., household) microwave ovens often result in irreproducible fixation results. We present calibration and standardization protocols for microwave fixation in large cavity microwave ovens that emphasize a) localization of oven hot spots (i.e., high power) using a neon bulb array, b) magnetron warm-up, c) the use of a water load, d) the use of an agar-saline-Giemsa model to predict the uniformity of irradiation in small samples, e) the use of specimen containers with one dimension less than 1.5 cm, and f) fast specimen handling to prevent conductive heating artifacts after irradiation. Although microwave ovens are commonplace their unique applications in the laboratory environment require special safety considerations, which are reviewed. Advances in microwave technology are providing new means to study the structure-function relationships of cellular and biochemical activities.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Chlamydial cervicitis: complications and new treatment options.

Chlamydial cervicitis has the potential for serious gynecologic complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. In the pregnant patient, this infection is associated with premature rupture of membranes and increased fetal morbidity and mortality. In addition, infants infected by passage through an infected cervix are at risk for respiratory complications and conjunctivitis. Chlamydial cervicitis may, however, be asymptomatic, and no single risk factor has been identified that reliably predicts infection. Current recommendations are to screen all pregnant women and patients in high-risk populations, such as those attending clinics for sexually transmitted diseases. Screening tests for chlamydial cervicitis are limited by expense and technical difficulties in obtaining and handling specimens. Chlamydial cervicitis can be treated effectively with several antibiotics, including doxycycline, ofloxacin and erythromycin. Newer antibiotics such as azithromycin offer the potential of effective single-dose treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1993

The mystique of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A reappraisal of one of the oldest laboratory tests still in use.

The ESR is a commonly performed laboratory test with intriguing antecedents extending back to the classical period of Western medicine. Although this background was appreciated by the physicians who popularized the test in the early part of this century, it has been largely forgotten. There has always been a lack of consensus about the role of the ESR as a nonspecific indicator of inflammation and tissue injury. The usefulness of the sedimentation rate has decreased as new methods of evaluating disease have been developed. It remains helpful in monitoring certain inflammatory processes, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, and it is of great value in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. The use of the ESR as a screening test to identify patients who have significant disease is not supported by the literature. The basic factors influencing the sedimentation rate were understood by the early decades of this century and the most satisfactory method of performing the test was introduced by Westergren in 1921. The complex nature of the factors influencing test outcome have precluded development of a reference method or of an easily implemented quality control program. Current interest in the methodology of the ESR focuses on the development of automated closed systems that allow determination of the sedimentation rate in the collection tube. These methods offer advantages of speed, safety, and uniform specimen handling. Systems utilizing sedimentation columns less than 200 mm in length may be less sensitive to changes at higher ESRs than the Westergren method. Laboratories should consider using a closed or a closed and automated system as their routine method for performing the ESR.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1996

Influence of specimen carryover on sensitive thyrotropin (TSH) assays: is there a problem?

A relatively slow transition has occurred from so-called 1st-generation thyrotropin (TSH) assays (e.g., RIAs) through 2nd-generation assays (e.g., IRMAs) to 3rd-generation assays (e.g., immunochemiluminometric assays). Analysis of data from a modified internal quality-control design, followed up by a computer simulation, showed that specimen carryover has minimal effect on 2nd-generation TSH assays. However, extension of the simulation to a 3rd-generation assay showed the possibility of substantial effects in the subnormal region. Carryover of 1:1250 (0.08%), for example, may reduce the theoretical 10-fold precision improvement claimed for 3rd-generation assays to nearer fourfold. Simulation results suggest maximum allowable specimen carryover of approximately 1:10,000 (approximately 0.01%) for 3rd-generation TSH assays. We suggest that when automated specimen handling is used in a TSH assay, a well-designed carryover experiment should become a routine part of reports that claim 3rd-generation (or better) performance characteristics.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1996

Impact of cost cutting on laboratories: new business strategies for laboratories.

Cost reduction is the primary force driving healthcare reform. To survive and thrive in these tumultuous times, laboratories must adapt and implement new business strategies. Business paradigm shifts create opportunities for organizations with a plan; a wait-and-see attitude forecasts failure. Drawing upon an 11-year experience with the "ARUP business model," this work will highlight business strategies that have contributed to the success of this university-based reference laboratory. In the future, successful laboratories will implement new business strategies to become more effective members of the emerging integrated healthcare delivery teams. Within the laboratory, traditional organizational disciplinary boundaries, i.e., chemistry, microbiology, and hematology, are melding together to increase efficiency. Laboratorians must become influential members of institutional healthcare delivery teams formed to control utilization. Laboratory services are being adjusted to optimize patient care. Incremental pricing is only one of the strategies to be implemented to expand outpatient business to those in the region. Expanded computer capabilities, client services, specimen handling, marketing, and sales are also required. On a regional basis, service laboratories are increasingly joining forces to increase efficiency while at the same time improving the quality of patient care.

Chemistry, Clinical↗

PubMed1997

[Establishment of a laboratory information office in response to the expanding need for consultation--actual situation of the laboratory information room, Clinical Laboratory Department, Kitasato University Hospital].

Due to the advancement, segmentation and specialization of the medical care, laboratory examinations covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) tariff have exceeded several hundred, and it is not possible for medical staff to be familiar with all of these and to utilize them appropriately. There is an urgent need for laboratory information for physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. Accordingly, our Clinical Laboratory Department, Kitasato University Hospital, established a "Laboratory Information (Consultation) Office" in July 1995 to provide consultations on clinical laboratory tests to those engaged in daily clinical practice and in medical research. The office is situated on the second floor of the Laboratory Building of the Kitasato University Hospital. One laboratory technician and one laboratory physician (clinical pathologist) are stationed there. They are available for telephone consultations from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, except for holidays, and from 9:00 to 13:00 on the first, third and fifth Saturdays. In addition, since January 1997, this office also has been open to members of medical associations in various cities in our area. To cope with requests for laboratory information, including whether an examination is covered the NHI tariff, selection of appropriate screening examinations and availability of new laboratory tests, consultations by fax are accepted at any time, even after regular working hours. As a post-graduate education program, the clinical laboratory physicians study specimen handling analytical methods and interpretation of results. At medical staff meeting, personnel from the Laboratory Information Office provide clarification on the types of consultations offered, address complex questions and find resolutions for rarely encountered and difficult laboratory issues. At these meetings, a summary of new laboratory examinations also is presented. This system of an information office where full-time laboratory physicians and laboratory technicians are stationed is the first such attempt in Japan. It may be considered a pilot project to determine if such a system may be applied to other laboratory departments in the future.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗