Competency information
Details
Perform the following range of investigations:
- prothrombin time (PT)
- activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
- anticoagulation therapy monitoring (INR)
- POCT for INR
- d-dimer
Considerations
- Appropriate time to investigate following a thrombotic event.
- Laboratory investigations of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thrombosis.
- The effect of medication on results of testing.
- The principles of anticoagulant therapy, therapeutic ranges and laboratory monitoring of warfarin, unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin.
- The use of d-dimer for the investigation of a suspected VTE.
- The relationship between abnormal anticoagulation screening and other laboratory tests such as full blood count and liver function tests.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Perform a range of laboratory techniques used in screening and investigating haematological disorders. |
| # 2 | Outcome Perform the range of laboratory and point-of-care techniques (POCTs) used in the investigation of disorders of haemostasis. |
| # 5 | Outcome Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw conclusions about assay performance. |
| # 6 | Outcome Use laboratory IT systems for handling, processing and storage of patient data. |