approach to a patient with a bleeding disorder: for the primary care physician

Normal Hemostasis requires the interaction of platelets and the clotting cascade with normal blood vessels and supporting tissues. Bleeding problems and easy bruising are commonly encountered clinical problems. Assessment of these patients is a multistep evaluation process that involves a complete detailed history, thorough physical examination and relevant laboratory evaluation. Many disorders are usually relatively straight forward to diagnose, but in other disorders, patients may have [hidden] signs and symptoms making diagnosis more difficult. A meticulous approach must be used to plan the first steps of management

profile of medical laboratory technologists

To analyze the profile of medical laboratory technologists working in the major hospitals of the eastern province including personal data as well as career patterns. A specially designed questionnaire was constructed in order to obtain personal and laboratory data of medical laboratory technologists in the eastern province during the period from 2002 to 2003. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to five major hospitals in the Eastern Province, 215 were returned completed. Two hundred and fifteen technologists responded to the survey. The mean age was 35.99 +/- 8.6 years, 128 [59.5%] were female medical laboratory technologists, 135 [62.79%] were non-Saudi and 80 [37.2%] were Saudi. The majority of respondents were from King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar 85 [39.5%]. The vast majority had a Bsc. degree as their highest degree 194 [90%]. One hundred eighty-three [85.1%] were staff technologists, 24 [11.2%] laboratory supervisors and six [2.8%] laboratory managers. A descriptive analysis of medical laboratory technologists' personal data showed a need for Saudi medical laboratory technologists

Attitudes of medical laboratory technology graduates towards the internship training period at King Faisal university

The objective of this present survey was to look into the attitudes of medical laboratory technology [MLT] graduates towards the internship training period of the MLT Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed for this purpose. The study period was from December 1[st] 2002 - 31[st] December 2004. Two-hundred questionnaires were distributed to recent graduates, and 115 were returned completed. All respondents agreed with the importance and necessity of the internship period, and felt it should not be reduced or eliminated. The most favorite laboratory where they liked to work was microbiology [70%]. They all agreed that evaluation report with hospital staff and laboratory set up were vital in achieving the goals of the internship period. The majority stressed the significance of safety precautions and the application of theoretical knowledge before performing technical assignments. The respondents had very positive attitudes towards the internship-training period stressing its importance. The most favorite laboratory rotations were in rank order: Microbiology, Serology followed by Histotechnology, Hematology, Blood Banking and finally Clinical Chemistry. The majority of graduates had a very positive attitude also towards medical laboratory technology as a profession

review of predonation blood donor deferrals in a university hospital

To study the main causes of predonation deferral of potentially healthy prospective blood donors in a University Hospital Blood Bank unit, and to make recommendations accordingly. A retrospective review of the main causes of predonation deferral of blood donors in King Fahd Hospital of the University [KFHU] Al-Khobar, was carried out. Records of all predonation deferrals from 1[st] P January 1996 to 31[st] P December 2003 were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 33,900 potential blood donors came to donate blood during the study period. A total of 6508 donors [19.2%] were deferred for various reasons. Analysis of the causes of deferral showed the following as the most common reasons in rank order: [1] recent ingestion or taking of counter-indicative medications; [2] low hematocrit level; [3] underweight; [4] abnormally high pulse rate; [5] low blood pressure; [6] temperature above 37.5[degree sign]C [7] High blood pressure; [8] presenting for donation too soon i.e. less than 8 weeks after the previous one; [9] age below or above the accepted limit; [10] a previous serological positive result; [11] general appearance; [12] abnormally low pulse rate. It is important to provide donors with a clear message on their deferral status. Increased public education about blood donation and the common causes of donor deferral may lower deferral rates and prevent a negative impact on the donor himself as well as on subsequent blood donations. Public education is needed also to help recruit as many volunteer donors as possible

Professional attitudes and career choices of female medical laboratory technology students and graduates: experience from eastern Saudi Arabia

To conduct a survey of the medical laboratory technology senior students, interns and graduates in King Faisal University to gather descriptive data on what students and graduates felt about their chosen profession and their career goals for the next five years. The study design was a survey. A questionnaire was specially designed for this purpose in order to gather information on the professional attitudes and career choices of the participants. The study period was one year, from January I, 2004 to December 31, 2004. A stratified random sample with proportional allocation was selected and a self-administered 17- item questionnaire was distributed. A 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1, strongly agree to 5 strongly disagree was created for the questions as well as two multiple-choice questions. 115 questionnaires were distributed to the available senior students, interns and graduates, 111 were returned completed. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for the social sciences [SPSS] PC + Software program. Respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction with their chosen profession as indicated by the ratings on the different questions relating to the profession of MLT. Their career goals were mainly working in a hospital laboratory as medical technologists [57.7%], and continuing their postgraduate education [38.7%]. MLT students and graduates expressed satisfaction with their chosen profession as evidenced by their responses assessing professional attitudes. Their career goals were mainly working at the bench level as Medical Laboratory Technologists in a hospital laboratory and postgraduate education

Medical laboratory technology program at King Faisal University: a 10-year experience

This paper documents the evolution of the Medical Laboratory Technology [MLT] program established in 1989 [1408/1409 H] at the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, King Faisal University. The rationale, objectives, the general outline of the program as well as methods of instruction and evaluation are discussed. The internship period and future plans are a/so addressed Two hundred and seven [270] students had been enrolled in the program since its inception until September 2000. Ten batches [138 graduates] have already successfully graduated. One hundred and fifteen [83.3% graduated technologists are employed in the different health sectors and educational institutions in the Kingdom