Lesson 1Internal Quality Controls (IQC): Controls Types, Frequency, Target Ranges, Levey-Jennings Charts and Westgard RulesThis section elucidates internal quality control ideas, types of control materials, choice of target ranges, plotting and analysing Levey-Jennings charts, using Westgard rules, and recording corrective measures when controls fail.
Control material types and selectionSetting target means and control rangesLevey-Jennings chart creation and reviewApplying key Westgard decision rulesDocumenting and resolving QC failuresLesson 2Common Clinical Chemistry Tests: Glucose, Creatinine, Electrolytes (K+, Na+), CRP, AST/ALT, Renal Panel — Biochemical Relevance and InterferencesThis section examines major clinical chemistry tests like glucose, creatinine, electrolytes, liver enzymes, CRP, and renal panels, outlining biochemical functions, assay methods, frequent interferences, and interpretation in clinical settings.
Glucose assays and glycolysis preventionCreatinine methods and eGFR reportingElectrolytes by ISE and common artefactsLiver enzymes: AST, ALT, ALP, GGTCRP and basic inflammatory markersLesson 3Calibration, Reagent Handling, Lot Changes, and Impact on Assay PerformanceThis section discusses calibration principles, calibrator selection, reagent storage and stability, handling lot-to-lot variations, verification steps, and how these elements affect accuracy, precision, and sustained assay performance.
Calibration frequency and acceptance criteriaCalibrator traceability and documentationReagent storage, stability, and labellingLot-to-lot comparison and validationImpact of calibration on patient resultsLesson 4Instrumentation Basics: Automated Haematology Analysers and Clinical Chemistry Analysers (Photometry, ISE, Enzymatic Assays)This section introduces automated haematology and chemistry analysers, covering cell counting methods, photometric and enzymatic assays, ion-selective electrodes, and essential maintenance tasks for dependable, ongoing instrument function.
Principles of automated cell countingPhotometric and colorimetric assay basicsIon-selective electrode measurementEnzymatic assay kinetics and endpointsRoutine maintenance and daily checksLesson 5Common Haematology Tests: CBC Components, Parameters (Hgb, Hct, RBC Indices, WBC Count, Differential) and Clinical SignificanceThis section outlines CBC components, such as haemoglobin, haematocrit, RBC indices, platelet count, WBC count, and differential, explaining measurement methods, reference ranges, and clinical meaning in typical disease conditions.
Haemoglobin and haematocrit measurement methodsRBC indices: MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDWPlatelet count and platelet indicesTotal WBC count and differential patternsCBC flags and smear review criteriaLesson 6Interferences and Common Artefacts: Haemolysis, Lipaemia, Icterus — Detection and MitigationThis section reviews haemolysis, lipaemia, and icterus, their distortion of haematology and chemistry outcomes, visual and automated detection methods, rejection thresholds, and approaches to avert and rectify these interferences.
Mechanisms and causes of haemolysis in samplesLipemic interference in photometric assaysIcterus and bilirubin-related spectral overlapUse of HIL indices and automated flagsPolicies for sample rejection or recollectionLesson 7Pre-Analytical Variables Affecting Haematology and Chemistry Results (Anticoagulants, Fasting State, Sample Type)This section covers pre-analytical factors impacting haematology and chemistry results, including anticoagulant selection, fasting condition, posture, sample type, storage duration, and transport settings, plus standardising collection methods.
Anticoagulant types and tube selectionFasting, posture, and circadian influencesSerum vs plasma vs whole blood selectionEffects of storage time and temperaturePneumatic tube and transport-related issuesLesson 8Throughput, Sample Queueing, STAT Processing on Analysers and Protocols to Prioritise Urgent SamplesThis section explains analyser throughput, sample loading sequences, STAT markers, and software guidelines for prioritising urgent specimens while upholding accuracy, traceability, and adherence to laboratory turnaround time goals.
Defining routine vs STAT turnaround timesConfiguring analyser sample racks and carouselsSoftware rules for STAT and priority flagsManaging high-volume workflows and bottlenecksMonitoring real-time workload dashboards
