Quality in the Coagulation Laboratory

ON THIS PAGE:  Key indicators  Coagulation issues  Reagent sensitivity Objectives   Intended audience

This webinar is presented by Donna D. Castellone, MS, MASCP MT(ASCP) SH, QA Manager, Specialty Testing, Supervisor, Special Coagulation and Hematology, New York Presbyterian- Columbia Medical Center.

Coagulation is a complex discipline that includes many variables. Different reagent composition including the type of phospholipids and activating agents, instability of samples as well as pre-analytical variables all contribute to outcomes. It is important to understand how these variables impact the quality of results reported out by the coagulation laboratory. Quality in the laboratory is not a given and can result in the misdiagnosis of a bleeding or thrombotic event.

This webinar will look at common practices in the coagulation laboratory and how these variables can impact quality. This session will also provide laboratories with practices that can help improve coagulation results and patient outcomes.

Key Indicators to Monitor in Coagulation

• Pre-analytical variables – such as short draw samples, hemolysis, time to be processed
  • Approximately 64% of errors occur in this phase!
• Analytical variables – test order accuracy
• Post-analytical variables – reports flagging values

Main Issues in Coagulation

• Platelet poor plasma
• INR verification
• Correct reporting/use of your D-dimer
• Heparin therapeutic range

Test Reagent Sensitivity for Factors

• It is important to understand how your reagents perform
• Small investment for a lot of information
• Should be performed even if you do not run factor assays to understand what the approximate levels of factor activity will prolong screening tests

Objectives

Upon completion of this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to:

1. Define quality in the coagulation laboratory
2. Identify quality issues in the coagulation laboratory and provide solutions for improvement
3. Enhance problem solving skills using a case study approach

Intended audience

This continuing education credit is intended for use by clinical laboratory professionals who are interested in learning how cross departmental processes can impact antibiotic stewardship outcomes.

Take the course and obtain CE credits

Attend this basic level webinars at no cost. Cardinal Health is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.This webinar is managed by Whitehat Communications and offer one P.A.C.E.® Continuing Education contact hour for up to six months after the live event.

One P.A.C.E® credit is available upon completion of the course: Quality in the Coagulation Laboratory

P.A.C.E.® credits are widely recognized in the clinical laboratory profession and can be used to fulfill most continuing education requirements.