Catlab Reports Bulletin
The Catlab Reports Bulletin is published monthly. Until the publication of the Catlab website, it was mailed electronically to our clients. It consists of a monograph related with laboratory topics. Each month it addresses a different area of Catlab; the topics can be more specific (concrete diagnostic techniques) or deal with more generic aspects (Quality, Management, …).
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - Change of method in celiac disease molecular study
Celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects from 1 to 3% of the Western population. At the molecular level, is associated with the HLA genes. From December 2013 we incorporated a new equipment that allows us to make a complete study of the two genetic regions associated with celiac disease (HLA-DQA/HLA-DQB). This equipment is designed to work with reverse hybridization technique adapted to a microarray plate, and also allows us to determine if these alleles are in heterozygous or homozygous state.
CYTOGENETICS - New method of noninvasive prenatal screening. Study of fetal aneuploidy in maternal blood
Based on the study of circulating fetal DNA in maternal blood, new techniques have been developed for prenatal aneuploidy screening with high sensitivity and specificity.
QUALITY - Measure customer satisfaction
During the years 2010-2012, Catlab has made a plan for measuring customer satisfaction, a survey of 10 questions related to the laboratory, targeting Clinicians.
HORMONES - TSH reference values during pregnancy
Pregnancy involves a series of physiological and hormonal changes that alter the function of the thyroid gland. In order to facilitate the monitoring of thyroid function, and contribute to improving the detection of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women, we have incorporated the TSH reference values recommended by scientific societies in the analytical reports of Catlab.
URGENT CARE - Monitoring of drug concentration in serum
The monitoring of drug therapy is an important chapter of clinical biochemistry. Only through proper monitoring can be maintained and adjusted the administration of a drug with maximum efficiency.
QUALITY - Current state of UNE-ISO 15189 Accreditation in Catlab
Since 2012 Catlab is accredited for automated Biochemistry, sample collection and sample management. This 2013 is intended to accredit more than 88% of Catlab's activity.
SEROLOGY - Change of method in serology area
In order to optimize the response time and improve the sensitivity and specificity, we incorporate chemiluminescence technology(QL)instead of some ELISA serology tests.
IMMUNOLOGY - New in Prenatal Biochemical Screening
To provide information as soon as possible to the gynecologist or midwife, Catlab together with the calculation program provider has developed an application, that allows to enter ecographies data directly into the program and get the IR and inform the pregnant while she is still in the medical office.
EXTRA-ANALYTIC - Computerization process of the pre-analytical area
The computerization process of the pre-analytical area as the temperature control in the sample transport or time of arrival of the samples allowed us to have quality indicators (UNE-EN ISO 15189) to achieve a continuous improvement in one of the laboratory areas with less standardization.
MICROBIOLOGY - Collection of samples for the study of superficial mycosis
The diagnosis of superficial mycosis analyzed samples of skin, hair and nails. In all three cases, the area where the sample was collected previously cleaned with 70% alcohol, to remove bacterial flora exudates and excipients medication that may interfere with the search for fungi.