In The Lab - Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Summary

This video takes viewers behind the scenes of a high-volume medical laboratory, exploring the process of a complete blood count (CBC) test. Marne, the manager of Core Labs, explains the importance of routine and specialty tests performed on millions of blood samples annually. Jamie Lynn, a medical laboratory technologist, details the CBC process, from analyzing blood components to identifying abnormalities like cancer cells in a blood film review. The video highlights the critical role labs play in diagnosing and treating patients, offering a fascinating glimpse into medical testing and laboratory operations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blood is made up of many components, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, all of which play crucial roles in overall health.
• 😀 The Core Labs department handles high-volume routine testing, with a focus on coagulation, hematology, and biochemistry, as well as specialty areas.
• 😀 Core Labs processes about 6 million tests annually, involving approximately 1.5 million test tubes and samples each year.
• 😀 A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is used to measure the different components of blood to assess an individual’s health status.
• 😀 Abnormal CBC results trigger further testing and, if critical, immediate communication with doctors or nurses for patient care.
• 😀 After a CBC, a blood film review is conducted to confirm the findings, which involves making a blood smear, staining it, and examining it under a microscope.
• 😀 Morphology analysis in the lab can identify abnormal cells, such as cancerous leukemia cells, which have distinguishing features like nucleoli.
• 😀 Nucleoli, small circles inside the nucleus of abnormal cells, are key indicators of cancerous cells like those seen in leukemia.
• 😀 Once the results of blood tests are validated, they are released to the doctor to aid in patient treatment decisions.
• 😀 The process from CBC analysis to morphology review is crucial in identifying serious health conditions and ensuring appropriate treatment is given.

Q & A

What is Core Labs, and what areas does it focus on?

Core Labs is a department that handles high-volume routine testing, including coagulation, hematology, and biochemistry. It also includes specialty areas that combine hematology and chemistry.

How many tests does Core Labs perform annually?

Core Labs performs approximately 6 million tests annually.

What is the average number of samples Core Labs handles each year?

Core Labs handles about 1.5 million test tubes and samples each year.

What components of blood are measured in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures the different components of blood, which include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

What do the results of a CBC indicate?

The results of a CBC help assess the overall health of an individual. Abnormal results may lead to additional tests, and if critical issues are detected, doctors or nurses will be contacted immediately to ensure the patient receives timely treatment.

How is a CBC performed in the lab?

A CBC is performed using an analyzer that processes the blood sample and generates results with various parameters. The medical technologist then validates these results and checks for abnormalities that may require further testing.

What happens when a CBC result shows abnormalities?

If a CBC result shows abnormalities, further testing is conducted, including a blood film review. This involves making a blood smear, staining it, and analyzing it under a microscope.

What is a blood film review, and why is it important?

A blood film review involves making a blood smear, staining it, and examining it under a microscope. This step helps identify abnormal cells, such as those found in leukemia, and provides additional insight into the patient's condition.

What distinguishing feature is looked for in cancer cells during a blood film review?

A distinguishing feature of cancer cells, like those found in leukemia, is the presence of a nucleolus, a small circle inside the nucleus. These are prominent in abnormal cells and absent in normal cells.

What happens after a blood sample is analyzed and reviewed in the lab?

After analyzing the blood sample and reviewing the results, the findings are reported to the doctor, who will use the information to determine the appropriate treatment for the patient.