Objectives

This study will assesss the effectiveness of educational and pratical experiences policies and procedures dedicated to the laboratory's efforts in maintaining medical laboratory scientist skills in their performance of accurate body fluid cell counts and identification of other body fluid features. Results from this study will assist individuals, the laboratory director, and the manager with areas to focus on for improvement and education.

The study will help management meet applicable CLIA, and CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, and The Joint Commission laboratory requirements for consistency of reporting morphology among staff and personnel competency requirements (testing previously analyzed specimens).

Data Collection

Medical laboratory scientists will access a series of online whole slide images to assess their ability to perform cell differentials on Wright-stained body fluids and to identify miscellaneous cells and inclusions in cytocentrifuged preparations using their own kit and result form. Participants will provide additional information about their competency assessment programs, continuing education, and professional background. Information will be collected from each site regarding their institution's minimum continuing education programs and requirements for their medical laboratory scientists who review body fluids, and relevant procedures and policies related to body fluid review assessment.

Performance Indicators

• Individual medical laboratory scientists score are based on a standardized competency assessment method to determine a technologist's ability to identify various white blood cell types, microorganisms, and other cells and inclusions present in normal and abnormal cases.
• Overall laboratory scores are based on the performance(s) of a facility’s individual medical laboratory scientist(s).

Program Information

Your Reports – What to Expect:

• A Participant Summary Report explaining the grading criteria for each case, how to read the reports, annotated images, and case descriptions.

• An institution report with your facility’s score summary with comparison to other institutions and a medical laboratory scientist score summary by case for each participant.

• An individual report for each participant listing their responses and score for each case.

To meet your staff comparative morphology and competency assessment requirements:

• Result forms for up to 10 medical laboratory scientists (QPB10)
• Result forms for up to 25 medical laboratory scientists (QPB25)
• Multiple orders may be purchased to accomodate the quantity of technologist result forms needed.

Participant summaries are provided with institution and individual results for each case.

Participation in this study helps laboratories meet applicable requirements:

• CLIA personnel requirements (Subpart M, 42 CFR §493.1)
• CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Checklist statements HEM.35566, consistency of morphologic observation among personnel performing body fluid cell differentials at least annually; GEN.55500, Competency Assessment of Testing Personnel (element 5); GEN.55525, Performance Assessment of Supervisors/Consultants; DRA. 11425, functions or responsibilities are properly performed by a qualified individual
• The Joint Commission Standards HR.01.05.03, 01.06.01 (EPs 3, 18, 19), HR.01.07.01, PI.03.01.01(EPs 3-5), and LD.04.05.01, 04.05.03 (EPs 1-6) regarding in-service training, continuing education, competency, and evaluation of staff members

Shipping Schedule

B Mailing: March 8, 2027