Clinical Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Elective)

4 units

This elective rotation is designed to teach the student how clinical laboratory assays are used in the diagnosis of disease and to understand the quality assurance tools the laboratory utilizes to assure the reliability of tests. The elective includes rotations through a variety of clinical laboratories including clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematopathology, molecular pathology, and transfusion medicine. During the elective the student will have a daily schedule, which includes didactic sessions with faculty and regular interactions with house staff. Some examples of useful clinical skills acquired during the experience include: morphologic review of peripheral blood smears and bone marrow biopsies; interpretation of coagulation tests, biomarkers of cardiac damage and serum protein electrophoresis patterns; identification of infectious organisms; and appropriate use of blood component therapy and therapeutic apheresis. The rotation culminates with a case discussion presented by the medical student which focuses on application of clinical laboratory evaluations to direct patient care.