Establishing a Reference Range for the Complete Blood Count Profile of the South-Trinidadian Population
Dec 1, 2023 | Views:208754 |
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Establishing a Reference Range for the Complete Blood Count Profile of the South-Trinidadian Population
by Ms. Korish Megan Ramsubhag
Objective
The purpose of this study is to establish reference intervals (RIs) for the population served by the South West Regional Health Authority.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Blood Bank Department of the San Fernando General Hospital, Trinidad. There were twenty routine and special quantitative analytes measured in blood bank donors aged 18-60 years who met the initial donor and health screening criteria. All samples were handled according to standard operating procedures. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software was used for statistical analysis. The nonparametric Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) recommended method was used to establish upper and lower confidence limits at 90% significance.
Results
A total of 366 (198 male and 168 female) participants met the inclusion criteria and contributed a sample during blood collection. RIs were established for all participants after double-checking outliers with grossly abnormal test results. Analytes included: seven red, eleven white blood cell parameters, and two platelet parameters. Analysis of these parameters showed some inconsistencies between the manufacturer’s RIs and the one developed from this study.
Preliminary Conclusions
The inconsistencies observed between the manufacturer’s RIs and the established RIs imply that the SWRHA should adopt these established population-specific RIs. This can minimise the risk of misdiagnoses and redundant patient treatment as well as align the Authority to the recommendations of accrediting bodies such as the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
Friday 1st December 2023 at 10:30 a.m.
Ms. Korish Megan Ramsubhag has worked in both the private and public health sectors for eleven years. She began working in a private laboratory and then transitioned into the public healthcare system at the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) as a phlebotomist, where she was promoted five years ago, to become a medical laboratory technologist.
Ms. Ramsubhag holds certifications as a Phlebotomy Technician and a Point of Care Specialist from the American Medical Technologist and American Association for Clinical Chemistry, respectively. Having an interest in Health Sciences, she also possesses a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology from the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), as well as a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Management from the Australia Institute of Business. She is presently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), with a concentration on Health Administration, to contribute to improving and uplifting clinical laboratories in the local sector.
Ms. Ramsubhag has an unwavering passion for healthcare and laboratory development, and she intends to positively affect laboratory standards and bring them closer to the gold standard through her research and experience.
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