Lab test interpretation
Epithelial Sheets and Mucus in Urine Sediment: Preparation Errors
How patient preparation defects affect urine sediment microscopy. Massive accumulations of squamous epithelium and mucus hindering cell differentiation.
Tag
Laboratory Errors
Hemostasis
Giant Platelets: Morphology and Analyzer Errors
Learn about the morphology of giant platelets in blood smears and the causes of errors during impedance cell counting on hematology analyzers.
Laboratory methods
Centrifuge Accident: Action Algorithm by SanPiN
Action algorithm for a laboratory centrifuge accident according to SanPiN 3.3686-21: disinfection rules, aerosol exposure, and chamber treatment.
Laboratory methods
Gram Stain Errors: Dye Crystallization on Hot Glass
Learn about the causes of dye crystal formation during Gram staining. This article covers errors in smear fixation technique and gentian violet crystallization on hot glass.
Laboratory methods
Preanalytical Errors: Urine Collection in Non-Standard Containers
Examples of non-standard urine collection containers delivered to the laboratory and the impact of non-sterile containers on test results.
Lab test interpretation
Hook Effect in Blood Biochemistry: Understanding & Avoiding
Learn about the hook effect in laboratory diagnostics, how it impacts biochemical test results, and strategies to avoid it for accurate interpretation.
Hematology
Bacteria and Fungi in Blood Smears: Sepsis or Artifact?
How to distinguish true bacteremia in sepsis from blood smear contamination and staining artifacts. Analysis of microscopic findings and fungal spores.
Laboratory methods
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Errors: Case Review
Analysis of typical errors in the clinical laboratory: preanalytical stage, critical hemogram values, normoblasts, and quality control of studies.
Laboratory methods
Preanalytics of a Flora Smear: Spermatozoa in the Sample
A clear example of gross violation of preparation rules for a flora smear test: spermatozoa found in a female sample. Preanalytical stage errors.
Parasitology
Epithelial Nuclei vs. Trichomonads in Gynecological Smear
Differential diagnosis of Trichomonas and free epithelial nuclei in a vaginal smear. How to avoid false-positive microscopy results.
Laboratory methods
Centrifugation of Blood with Clot Activator: Preanalytical Rules
Learn the preanalytical rules for blood centrifugation: why wait 30–40 minutes before spinning, and how to prevent fibrin formation in serum.
Laboratory methods
Automated Urine Test Strip Analysis: Clinitek Atlas
Principles of automated urine test strip analysis on the Clinitek Atlas analyzer: photometric reading, refractometry, and elimination of subjective errors.