Read the following two quotes from published journals, and plan to learn more about the pitfalls of Prothrombin Time testing… even using INR… at our 2004 Annual Conference, April 22-24, Sheraton Hotel, Anchorage AK. We are thrilled to be having someone of David McGlasson’s stature speak on this important subject. Don’t miss him, Friday April 23!

   “Questions of diagnostic and laboratory accuracy often assume a widely accepted, reliable, reference test or "gold standard." Unfortunately, many standards contain more tin than gold. Such is the case with International Normalized Ratio (INR) anticoagulation assessment, as the thromboplastin reagents used to derive prothrombin times (PTs) vary across laboratories. This variance should be ameliorated by use of the International Sensitivity Index

 (ISI) to calculate the INR. However, even when using reagents with similar ISIs, resultant inter-laboratory INR values may still vary.  Such variance may result in clinically relevant INR differences” (Caffee and Teichman AAFP May 2002)

  “It was estimated that up to 53% of tests would have resulted in clinically significant differences (change in warfarin dose) depending upon the site and method of testing. The practice derived results showed a positive bias ranging from 0.28 to 1.55, depending upon the site and method of testing… Discrepant INR results are as problematic in hospital settings as they are in primary care. These data highlight the failings of the INR to standardise when different techniques and reagents are used, an issue which needs to be resolved.” (Hobbs et al, J Clin Pathol July 1999)

The University of Alaska Anchorage’s Medical Laboratory Technology program is prospering and expanding  leaps-and-bounds.  From the Introduction class to the Practicum sites, all are filled to capacity.  Not only are the classes full, but they are very diverse; from non-classic college age students to a large variety of ethnic backgrounds.

   Since August, the MLT/MT student club has been raised over $800 through a classroom food store, and participation in the annual Halloween kids night at UAA. These funds will be used to help pay for student registration fees at the CLSA Spring Conference.  Students in the program have been given  April 22nd and 23rd off from classes, so that they may attend the conference. 

   Danielle Maruska, Asako Mizobe (Mako), and I have been working hard with USUAA, the campus student club council.  We are requesting additional UAA funding to cover all conference registration costs for students in the program.  We anticipate that 25-30 students will attend the conference. 

Some of the students have volunteered to help with the admission, making hospitality bags, and the Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser scheduled to take place throughout the conference. Assistant Professor Heidi Mannion has arranged UAA shuttle bus transportation, with pickups at numerous locations around Anchorage. This will allow students and other participants to avoid downtown parking.

   With growth of the program, Jill Jefson CLS(NCA) has joined the staff.  Jill taught the Intro to Lab Medicine class last fall and is currently instructing the Clinical Chemistry class. She is a great addition to the program. Jill probably did not expect so much trouble-shooting on the chemistry analyzers, but has displayed great patience with such a variety of old and really old instruments.

  On a closing note, I would like to express how excited I am to see fellow UAA graduates of the program succeeding in the healthcare profession, as well as volunteering their time with CLSA and other organizations.  This establishes a great model and gives current students a mark to strive for in the future.