Newbies in Hema department..what to do?

As a newbie rotating in Hematology department, familiarizing the procedures in your respective institution is a must. A proper orientation by your senior MT can help you understand the workflow as well as to troubleshoot some problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Since you are a newbie in Hema (like me..lol), it is best to ask from your senior MT for clarifications and be open for any corrections. :-) Keep in mind that you are encouraged to ask/confirm if you are confused of something. Don't ever be afraid to approach. It is the senior MT's pleasure to help and guide you to become a self-equipped and independent MT in Hematology Department in the future...

But then, an extra effort is expected for us newbies. We have to do our part too and that is to go back to study again. The procedure manual in your department might be of help and at least will give you the overview of the different procedures to be done in hematology department,

Here are the things that I learned in Hema lately...these are just random pointers.

1. Learn how to use the hematology machine analyzer (Beckman Coulter): reviewing and troubleshooting problems, running the controls, and replacing empty reagents.
2. Familiarizing the RBC and WBC precursors.
3. Taking note to panic values and flaggings!
4. Getting to know the different cells (their characteristics) as well as if there are malignant cells in the differential count.
5. Adjusting the normal value with that of the patient's age: newborn, child, adult
6. Correlating patient's previous results (if there's any).
7. Total cell counts and differential counts on other body fluids (CSF, Peritoneal, Pleural, Synovial fluid)...the dilution and the manner of counting
8. Preparing blood smear to each patient
9. Indirect platelet counts below 100
10. PLATELET CLUMPS...patient's smear needs to be checked. If there are platelet clumps noted, a patient's citrated blood is used.

Now, tips number 2 and 3 are to be given much attention because there may be flaggings (such as MO blast, Left shift, Imm Grans) to show up and we may have mistaken these blasts as lymphocyte or monocyte. So, a referral to your pathologist of your manual diff count is advised before releasing the results. 

And lastly before you leave your working area, make sure you leave it clean and order as it is. You don't want your co-worker talking about how irresponsible you are. Also, observe a proper endorsement (even before and after) to the MT next to you. Double check the requests you've released. Through this, you'll gonna be out from any trouble in the future. Keep on counting cells folks!