"[the authors] did a masterful job of creating and editing this gold standard book that should be used by all clinicians and incorporated into all nursing and health sciences curriculums." -Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN Vice President for Health Promotion University Chief Wellness Officer Dean and Helene Fuld Health Trust Professor of Evidence-Based Practice, College of Nursing Professor of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, College of Medicine Executive Director, the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for EBP The Ohio State University This is the only book to explicitly guide clinicians through an evidence-based approach to ordering and interpreting laboratory tests. With over 160 commonly ordered tests, this book is designed to foster more accurate clinical decision-making to attain the highest level of patient care. This book summarizes more than 3000 pieces of evidence and incorporates clinical expertise and decision-making on the ordering and interpretation of tests. To promote ease of use, a convenient table maps labs and their corresponding chapter numbers to the relevant body system to promote ease of use. Each laboratory test is presented in a consistent format with information on physiology, indications (screening, diagnosis, and monitoring), algorithms, test interpretation and follow-up testing, patient education, and related diagnoses. Additional valuable features include clinical pearls that highlight common pitfalls and gaps in reasoning, and a cost-benefit analysis. This book also includes CPT and ICD-10 codes, charts and tables for clarification, and references for further study. Key Features: Delivers a strong, evidence-based approach to ordering and interpreting over 160 laboratory tests Promotes accurate clinical decision-making toward achieving the Triple Aim Includes abundant clinical pearls highlighting common pitfalls and gaps in reasoning Provides cost-benefit analysis and discussion of laboratory testing within a high-value healthcare culture Includes 175 supplemental case examples and 200 self-assessment questions to facilitate instruction and learning Includes more than 3000 pieces of evidence from interprofessional resources

Nursing-focused and easy-to-read, this manual delivers all of the information you need to understand how tests work, interpret their results, and provide quality patient care—pre-test, intra-test, and post-test. Tests and procedures are listed in alphabetical order by their complete names for quick reference. The integrated index allows fast searches by abbreviation, synonym, disease/disorder, specimen type, or test classification. Plus, a Body Systems Appendix includes a list of common laboratory and diagnostic tests for each body system as well as nutrition-related lab tests.

The first section lists which tests should be performed in diagnosing and monitoring certain diseases. The second part lists laboratory and diagnostic tests and toxic substances, normal values or findings, diseases or conditions in which the values may be increased or decreased, description, professional considerations, and references.

A complete full-color guide to medical test selection and test result interpretation Laboratory Medicine is an essential text for medical students and residents studying clinical pathology, medical technology students, and for practitioners working in a clinical setting. By selecting the appropriate tests and interpreting the results correctly, physicians using this book should be able to optimize patient outcomes and reduce the cost of achieving a diagnosis. This full-color guide features an easy-to-follow, consistent presentation for each disease discussed. Chapters begin with a brief description of the disorder followed by a discussion that includes tables detailing the laboratory evaluation of specific disorders, and coverage of diagnosis, baseline tests to exclude diagnostic possibilities, and clinical indications that warrant further screening and special testing. Features Updated to reflect the most current information 46 laboratory methods presented in easy-to-understand illustrations which include information on the expense and complexity of the assays More than 200 tables and full-color algorithms encapsulate important information and facilitate understanding Full-color blood-smear micrographs demonstrate common abnormal morphologies of red blood cells Valuable learning aids in each chapter, including learning objectives, chapter outlines, and a general introduction Extensive table of Clinical Laboratory Reference Values showing the conversions between US and SI units for each value Coverage of genetic test options that are now commonly used in clinical practice

Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care - it provides an explanation of a patient's health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The diagnostic process is a complex, collaborative activity that involves clinical reasoning and information gathering to determine a patient's health problem. According to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, diagnostic errors-inaccurate or delayed diagnoses-persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients. It is likely that most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences. Diagnostic errors may cause harm to patients by preventing or delaying appropriate treatment, providing unnecessary or harmful treatment, or resulting in psychological or financial repercussions. The committee concluded that improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001), finds that diagnosis-and, in particular, the occurrence of diagnostic errorsâ€"has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, health care organizations, patients and their families, researchers, and policy makers. The recommendations of Improving Diagnosis in Health Care contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of health care quality and safety.

Practicing specialists in pathology, laboratory medicine, and obstetrics comprehensively summarize the latest scientific findings and their experiences in the use and interpretation of laboratory testing in patients who are pregnant or experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss. Topics of interest include the effects of normal physiological changes on test results, test selection for diagnosis, changes in reference ranges, monitoring the pregnant patient, new technologies, and the limitations of laboratory testing. The authors not only clearly explain currently used test methods and technologies for the nontechnical reader, but also provide comprehensive details for laboratory professionals. The comprehensive appendix that compiles published normal reference ranges by first, second, and third trimester consttitutes an excellent resource for professionals caring for pregnant women.

Malaria is making a dramatic comeback in the world. The disease is the foremost health challenge in Africa south of the Sahara, and people traveling to malarious areas are at increased risk of malaria-related sickness and death. This book examines the prospects for bringing malaria under control, with specific recommendations for U.S. policy, directions for research and program funding, and appropriate roles for federal and international agencies and the medical and public health communities. The volume reports on the current status of malaria research, prevention, and control efforts worldwide. The authors present study results and commentary on the: Nature, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and epidemiology of malaria. Biology of the malaria parasite and its vector. Prospects for developing malaria vaccines and improved treatments. Economic, social, and behavioral factors in malaria control.