>
> We have been routinely scanning all CSFs for five years or so. We do have a
> supra regional neurology unit on site so we perhaps get more CSFs than the
> average small DGH Our on-call staff have all been trained to performed the
> test.
>
> 2. Of those that do scan, how many offer this service out of hours?
----
Our on call MLSOs will perform the scans out of hours. With a scanning
spectrophotometer the scan only takes a few minutes and it is usually simpler
to do it at the time than to separate the supernatant, label a tube and leave
someone (often the same person) a note to do it next day.
We have always been a bit reluctant to leave CSFs until the next day but that
probably dates back to when we used to do cell counts at the same time, on the
basis that cells may deteriorate. We thankfully passed the cell counts to our
Microbiology colleagues some years ago. I assume pigments will not change much
overnight if the cells are removed, but I don't recall seeing hard evidence. Can
anyone set my mind at rest on this point by quoting from the literature?
In my opinion, most scans are relatively clear cut. We have a few examples on
the wall by the spectrophotometer to remind people of typical patterns. Should
the scan seem at all confusing, the MLSO will respectfully decline to interpret
it until the next day. If the clinician isn't happy with that, the MLSO or the
clinician can contact a clinical biochemist at the time to discuss the scan's
interpretation.
Regards
Dr Steve Frost
Clinical Biochemistry Dept.
The Princess Royal Hospital
Haywards Heath
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>
>
> Many thanks
>
> Dr Ian Holbrook
> Department of Chemical Pathology
> York District Hospital
> Wigginton Road
> YORK YO31 8HE
> UK
>
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