Biochemistry Unit 15
A2 Applied Science
Unit 15: The Role of the Pathology Service
Assignment Biochemistry
Role of biochemistry department
Biochemistry department are the foundation of modern healthcare. Without them, the diagnosis of disease, the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment, and research into the causes and cures of disease would not be possible. In biochemistry department, the clinical scientist diagnose and manage diseases by analysing the bodily fluids such as blood and urine. In this area, biomedical scientists; pathologists and other healthcare science staff are found working in science fields such as hospitals, clinicians and GPs.
They produce and validate the results of chemical and biomedical analyses to help to the diagnosis and management …show more content…
of disease. They also use appropriate use/ methods of tests interpreting the results and following up investigations that may be required. They are also involved in working outside the laboratory to support the investigation of patients at the point of care including in clinics and operating theatres. They plan and organise work in clinical biochemistry laboratories and carry out complex analysis on specimens of body fluids and tissues. They assure the quality of clinical biochemistry investigations and audit the diagnostic and clinical use and performance of investigations. They also develop new and existing tests, often automated and computer assisted but sometimes requiring considerable manual expertise.
The laboratory tests are assisted by doctors in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Biomedical scientists test your sample and the results the test enable doctor to diagnose disease accurately and treat patient effectively. They play significant role in helping the hospital departments such as Accident and Emergency and Operating Theatres. They also learn to work computers, sophisticated automated equipment, microscopes and other hi-tech laboratory equipment. They also diagnose HIV with cancer screening and blood transfusion for surgery to food poisoning and infection control.
Knowledge and skills required to work in the department
Role- Biochemist
Criteria Essential
Qualifications • Final Examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science, HNC, or equivalent (In appropriate subject). A degree acceptable to HPC followed by State Registration.
• Current State Registration by the Health Professions Council
Experience Pre-state registration experience of working in a hospital Pathology Department in an appropriate discipline.
Knowledge and Awareness • A reasonable knowledge of health and safety principles applicable in working within a Pathology Department.
• Must understand the nature of patient confidentiality.
Skills and Abilities • Can demonstrate ability to work unsupervised if required.
• Able to demonstrate good laboratory practice in their work.
• Able to communicate clearly and precisely both verbally and in writing with patients and all levels of staff inside and outside Pathology.
Personal Attributes
• Able to work well within a small team.
• Able to work under pressure
• Enthusiasm for work.
• Enthusiasm to undertake appropriate training as required to facilitate service developments.
Common tests in the Biochemistry Department:
Test Sample Why the test is performed? How the test is performed? Special safety principles.
Glucose Blood and urine
To monitor patients suffering from diabetes. It helps to find out any signs of diabetes and to determine the sugar level in blood and urine. • The blood is taken from the vein, usually from the inside of the elbow.
• It is cleaned by the antiseptic before the blood is taken.
• Then the upper arm is wrapped with an elastic band which is given to apply pressure which makes the vein to swell with blood.
• After that they gently insert the needle into the vein.
• When finished with collecting blood they release the elastic band from your arm. The puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. • Use new needles every time when taking out blood.
• Make sure not to poke your eyes by wearing safety goggles.
• They should not throw away any contaminated items.
• Always wash your hand before and after taking the sample.
Potassium Blood
To find whether the patient has high or low potassium levels and it also tests the kidneys or the adrenal …show more content…
glands.
The test is performed as the same method as the glucose test. • needle should be properly disposed
• when taking a new sample it has to be used by new needle because to prevent contamination of blood.
Sodium Blood
To find the cause of the low or high levels of sodium in your body.
It also helps us find the progress of diseases of the kidneys or adrenal glands. The test is also performed as the same way as the glucose test. • The contaminated needle should be disposed
• When you are pricked by the needle it may leave a small bruise. You can lower the chance of bruising yourself by applying pressure at the bruise for at 2-3 minutes.
Cholesterol Blood
To prevent cardiovascular disease. It is performed to find our high risk of cardiovascular disease or have a family history of high cholesterol. This test is also done the same way as the other test. • Wash hands before and after the process.
• Dispose the contaminated needles in the right bins.
• Be aware of handling and disposal of blood samples, sharps and reagents from the analyser.
• Label every item.
Health and safety procedures in this department
All the health and safety procedures and legislation were mentioned before in another department. (ie. Haematology)
Risk assessment
Procedure/ equipment Hazards Precaution taken to control risk Emergency actions possibility of pricking with contaminated needles
-possibility of getting harmful disease such as
HIV.
-severe bleeding
-poking in eyes -wear gloves to prevent harmful chemical to go to the skin.
-dispose the contaminated needled after taking sample -if not sure about health matter, see a doctor or local GP
-wash hands before and after
-wear eye protection ie. goggles.
Harmful chemicals/
Spillage of chemicals -irritant
-flammable
-harmful
-toxic
-poisonous -Wear lab coats
-use warning signs or images if harmful chemicals
-label should be kept on the bottle of chemicals. -go to well ventilated area.
-Rinse the contaminated area with water for at 15 mins if chemical spills on body.
- seek for medical help if needed.
Unit 15: The Role of the Pathology Service
Assignment Biochemistry
Role of biochemistry department
Biochemistry department are the foundation of modern healthcare. Without them, the diagnosis of disease, the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment, and research into the causes and cures of disease would not be possible. In biochemistry department, the clinical scientist diagnose and manage diseases by analysing the bodily fluids such as blood and urine. In this area, biomedical scientists; pathologists and other healthcare science staff are found working in science fields such as hospitals, clinicians and GPs.
They produce and validate the results of chemical and biomedical analyses to help to the diagnosis and management …show more content…
of disease. They also use appropriate use/ methods of tests interpreting the results and following up investigations that may be required. They are also involved in working outside the laboratory to support the investigation of patients at the point of care including in clinics and operating theatres. They plan and organise work in clinical biochemistry laboratories and carry out complex analysis on specimens of body fluids and tissues. They assure the quality of clinical biochemistry investigations and audit the diagnostic and clinical use and performance of investigations. They also develop new and existing tests, often automated and computer assisted but sometimes requiring considerable manual expertise.
The laboratory tests are assisted by doctors in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Biomedical scientists test your sample and the results the test enable doctor to diagnose disease accurately and treat patient effectively. They play significant role in helping the hospital departments such as Accident and Emergency and Operating Theatres. They also learn to work computers, sophisticated automated equipment, microscopes and other hi-tech laboratory equipment. They also diagnose HIV with cancer screening and blood transfusion for surgery to food poisoning and infection control.
Knowledge and skills required to work in the department
Role- Biochemist
Criteria Essential
Qualifications • Final Examination of the Institute of Biomedical Science, HNC, or equivalent (In appropriate subject). A degree acceptable to HPC followed by State Registration.
• Current State Registration by the Health Professions Council
Experience Pre-state registration experience of working in a hospital Pathology Department in an appropriate discipline.
Knowledge and Awareness • A reasonable knowledge of health and safety principles applicable in working within a Pathology Department.
• Must understand the nature of patient confidentiality.
Skills and Abilities • Can demonstrate ability to work unsupervised if required.
• Able to demonstrate good laboratory practice in their work.
• Able to communicate clearly and precisely both verbally and in writing with patients and all levels of staff inside and outside Pathology.
Personal Attributes
• Able to work well within a small team.
• Able to work under pressure
• Enthusiasm for work.
• Enthusiasm to undertake appropriate training as required to facilitate service developments.
Common tests in the Biochemistry Department:
Test Sample Why the test is performed? How the test is performed? Special safety principles.
Glucose Blood and urine
To monitor patients suffering from diabetes. It helps to find out any signs of diabetes and to determine the sugar level in blood and urine. • The blood is taken from the vein, usually from the inside of the elbow.
• It is cleaned by the antiseptic before the blood is taken.
• Then the upper arm is wrapped with an elastic band which is given to apply pressure which makes the vein to swell with blood.
• After that they gently insert the needle into the vein.
• When finished with collecting blood they release the elastic band from your arm. The puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. • Use new needles every time when taking out blood.
• Make sure not to poke your eyes by wearing safety goggles.
• They should not throw away any contaminated items.
• Always wash your hand before and after taking the sample.
Potassium Blood
To find whether the patient has high or low potassium levels and it also tests the kidneys or the adrenal …show more content…
glands.
The test is performed as the same method as the glucose test. • needle should be properly disposed
• when taking a new sample it has to be used by new needle because to prevent contamination of blood.
Sodium Blood
To find the cause of the low or high levels of sodium in your body.
It also helps us find the progress of diseases of the kidneys or adrenal glands. The test is also performed as the same way as the glucose test. • The contaminated needle should be disposed
• When you are pricked by the needle it may leave a small bruise. You can lower the chance of bruising yourself by applying pressure at the bruise for at 2-3 minutes.
Cholesterol Blood
To prevent cardiovascular disease. It is performed to find our high risk of cardiovascular disease or have a family history of high cholesterol. This test is also done the same way as the other test. • Wash hands before and after the process.
• Dispose the contaminated needles in the right bins.
• Be aware of handling and disposal of blood samples, sharps and reagents from the analyser.
• Label every item.
Health and safety procedures in this department
All the health and safety procedures and legislation were mentioned before in another department. (ie. Haematology)
Risk assessment
Procedure/ equipment Hazards Precaution taken to control risk Emergency actions possibility of pricking with contaminated needles
-possibility of getting harmful disease such as
HIV.
-severe bleeding
-poking in eyes -wear gloves to prevent harmful chemical to go to the skin.
-dispose the contaminated needled after taking sample -if not sure about health matter, see a doctor or local GP
-wash hands before and after
-wear eye protection ie. goggles.
Harmful chemicals/
Spillage of chemicals -irritant
-flammable
-harmful
-toxic
-poisonous -Wear lab coats
-use warning signs or images if harmful chemicals
-label should be kept on the bottle of chemicals. -go to well ventilated area.
-Rinse the contaminated area with water for at 15 mins if chemical spills on body.
- seek for medical help if needed.