Laboratory Techniques

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to plan, set up and run a practice laboratory.
• Understand how to implement quality control and assurance measures.
• Maintain the laboratory equipment.
• Explain how preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical factors can influence the validity of results.
• Identify and resolve common problems encountered in a practice Laboratory.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Describe how to collect blood, urine and skin samples for performing laboratory tests.
• Understand the principles for ensuring that the best samples are used for laboratory testing.
• Know how to avoid common problems and pitfalls.
• Discuss how sample quality can influence the validity of results.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Know how to prepare blood smears of optimal diagnostic quality.
• Explain the principles of commonly used haematological stains and staining methods.
• Identify common staining artefacts and discuss how blood smear staining quality can influence the validity of microscopic findings.
• Describe the method for performing a structured blood smear examination.
• Describe how to estimate a platelet count using a blood smear

Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify morphologically normal erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes.
• Identify the most frequently seen morphologically abnormal erythrocytes and understand their clinical significance.
• Identify the most frequently seen morphologically abnormal leukocytes and understand their clinical significance.
• Estimate a platelet count using a blood smear.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Know the most common biochemical tests employed in general clinical practice and the type of samples required for their performance.
• Discuss the main aspects of the analytical performance of bench/point-of-care instruments and tests employed in clinical biochemistry.
• Outline the diagnostic principle for the use of each biochemical test.
• Understand the clinical significance of abnormal biochemical test results

Key Learning Objectives:

• Outline the clinical features of each hormonal disease.
• State the most common laboratory test abnormalities seen in each hormonal disease.
• Describe the diagnostic principle behind the specific endocrinological tests.
• Understand the practical techniques involved in testing

Key Learning Objectives:

• Explain the advantages, disadvantages and aspects of the analytical performance of urine strips.
• Use urine strips.
• Prepare and examine a urine sediment.
• Identify the most common types of cells, casts and crystals present in the urine sediment.
• Use the refractometer.
• Discuss how Urinalysis results and findings relate to specific diseases.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Outline the clinical aspects and available laboratory tests for the diagnosis of common infectious diseases.
• Understand the principles, advantages and disadvantages of POC testing.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use various POC tests

This interactive session will focus on improving the delegate’s skills and confidence when performing microscopic examination. Using glass as well as digitalised slides will examine blood smears, urine sediment preparations, and ear swab smears. This course can be attended as a stand-alone day, but you will get a lot more from it if it is attended in conjunction with the Haematology and Urinalysis modules in this course.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the principles, advantages and disadvantages of digital microscopy and telecytology.
• Identify common haematological abnormalities.
• Identify common abnormalities related to urine sediment.
• Identify common normal and abnormal findings on smears from ear swabs.

This interactive session will cover many aspects of small animal laboratory work. Using actual clinical case histories and laboratory test results, different aspects of sampling and testing will be covered in a supportive and friendly environment. This course can be attended as a stand-alone day, but you will get a lot more from it if it is attended in conjunction with other modules from this course.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Discuss different clinical cases regarding sampling and testing.
• Understand the main reasons for the selection of specific tests.
• Understand the clinical significance of abnormal laboratory test results.