VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:11:45 GMT

yes, blood smears we will be doing for sure. Must look into that book, thanks Sal x

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:05 GMT

well when you start doing blood smears there is a very good spiral bound one which has questions and answers so you can test yourself - it was produced for Idexx, I bought mine second hand on amazon, very good pictures

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:54:06 GMT

no it will be a 'NEVER' - unless I go into labwork - but definitely not in veterinary practice. That is something I am absolutely certain of

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:50:36 GMT

thanks Sal I did feel very proud of myself!! I did ask for payrise a short time ago and it was declined I love microscope work and I am so glad that my vet wants me to develop in this area. He said that eventually, I will be in control of the swabs from applyiing to microscope to diagnosing (though he will always confirm my diagnosis) Its all soooo exciting!! (ps I need to get out more hehe)

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Fiona Leathers — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:50:05 GMT

never say never Sal!!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:47:58 GMT

thats a nice one to start with I am glad you are doing more microscopy - used to be on of my favourite bits and it is surprising just how much you can learn looking at a slide! and once you become more confident it means clients get some results quicker and can start treatment on their pets earlier. (and of course it earns more for the practice - so no harm in asking for a wage rise - doesnt mean you will get one but no harm in asking.Will still be keeping one of my microscopes even tho I will never use it for work again - is a bit of a hobby I suppose

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:23:12 GMT

guess what peeps?? We have recently started to do more lab work (microscope) in house. Today, I was able to identify malasezzia (?sp) on a slide from an ear swab!!!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:39:17 GMT

interesting point on the tier 2 and EQA - I can name quite a few that aren't.

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:16:32 GMT

edgy? moi? besides couldnt murder him the freezer was full!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:48:54 GMT

I retired after my last post cause l was on the 7am shift and doing a long one think ends at 20:00 unless we get to busy will stay on and help out.

yes l was there and it was a day or so after you threatened to break the vets fingers. Actually you also said you would throttle him and to remove himself from the lab. (polite version) but as he had buggered the machine the week before pressing buttons all over it you were a tad "edgy"

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Emma Purnell — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:13:10 GMT

Goodness, can of worms anyone?!?! Really enjoyed spending most of my lunch getting up to date though!

Just to clarify, I have one partner who has just heard of these 'alternative' slides and wants me to find them, and one partner who is really against it. The lab is my 'domain' and I am the one who fights with it all the time and personally, I don't particularly want to start using these new slides to give me even more of a headache! I have enough fun keeping up as it is!

Thanks so much all for your help, I will continue to fight my corner!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Graham Bilbrough — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:07:17 GMT

It is my understanding the every RCVS Tier 1 and 2 practice has to be involved with an External Quality Assurance (EQA) Programme. It is good practice for all. Details of the IDEXX EQA programme can be found on p9 of the 2009 Directory of Services ("the reference lab price list"). For the sake of balance, other EQA programmes exist.

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Fiona Leathers — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:00:16 GMT

I do my Quality Control slides every month, and its thrown up some anomalies so it just shows that its definately worthwhile doing it. Haven't heard about the Quality Assurance scheme though!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:41:51 GMT

That and some things like tri trichomonas foetus are better tested as soon as possible on a slide and scoped,not sent off. I also recently got some information from a breeder that was using Idexx for her testing wasn't getting the results she wanted from them and ended up getting better results regarding Tri-trich from a lab in scotland(not sure which one didn't ask). Has anyone else had any experience with this?She lives in South Wales.

I think i might take this to another topic too here.. http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/p/1270/7100.aspx#7100

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:18:58 GMT

how many people representing how many practices take part in the external (I think it is called?) Quality Assurance. One place I worked I used to do most of the lab stuff and can remember doing these either monthly or 2 monthly - keeps you on your toes and makes sure you are getting good results through your lab. I really missed them when I moved on - the next practice was NWL not Idexx but tried to keep my eye in with reference slides that I had built up over the years. I think if you are going to do things in house then you should make sure you keep up to date and this is one of the best ways I found of doing it. It checks the machines yes but it also checks that what you are reporting when you look at slides and will alert you to any major discrepancies

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:17:00 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"] quaity[/quote]

arghhhhhhhhhh

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:16:28 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]speed[/quote]

must be getting late. I meant quaity!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:15:40 GMT

wow - I guess I asked for that one - my question was pretty broad.

I suppose I am just cynical about QC due to the practices I have worked in as an assistant - and their blatant disregard for it. However, I agree that some tests, and situations, need quick answers. But as a GP (and proud of it!) I rarely need answers that quickly. I think vets assume clients expect results straight away - whereas I have known bloods taken in an emergency setting in hospital take till the next day to be reported! I think IF it is a choice between speed and quality, I'll go for speed. But having both would be ideal I guess.

Anyway, hubbie is now snoring next to me so I guess I should turn this off and get some shut-eye. Thanks for the debate - have really enjoyed it! Nightie night.

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Graham Bilbrough — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:08:39 GMT

For examples, I would say that ionised calcium, coagulation, blood gases, electrolytes must be measured patient side. Haematology is best patient side if you are willing to do the work with the microscope and it is not as hard as it sounds. Some chemistries (urea, creatininine) should be available all the time. Other chemistries may well be desirable patient side, but no patient dies from having raised liver enzymes for 24 hours. Obviously, there are many tests that are only possible at the reference lab: PCR, serology, histology...

In reality most, both options would be suitable, but we should not diminish the need to satisfy the clients demands for quick answers. However, if you are not willing to consider "quality" seriously, then you should leave it to the reference labs.

All the best

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:04:07 GMT

[quote user="Graham Bilbrough"]

Crikes, don't feel bad about falling asleep (well, almost). When my kids cannot sleep I talk to them about the importance of considering intRAassey and intERassay variation when using an assay to monitor a trend.

They sleep well now.

[/quote]

haha, I can assure you I did not fall asleep was waayyy too interesting for that!!

Aye, bedtime reading - always the vet!!!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:02:53 GMT

oh no, not another debate I am clearly suffering the effects of the wine, hence I may retire for the evening

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Graham Bilbrough — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:02:42 GMT

They sleep well now.

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:01:27 GMT

Going to put you on the spot now Graham- but if you were asked where to analyse a blood sample, if speed and cost wasn't an issue, to get the most reliable result, what would you say?

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:59:59 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

oh - I was 31st Jan. 33, and due to the kiddies being all excited about their hols at the moment, feeling 53!

[/quote]

I know how you feel!!

Re: VetTest slides - cheaper alternative?

Saskia Quinn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:58:38 GMT

[quote user="Graham Bilbrough"]

Yes, but I felt rather embarrassed. You should not feed my ego. I was very pleased with the meeting. Somewhat perturbed that many people (especially someone in the front row) wer laughing at my jokes. That does not normally happen!

[/quote]

Ok, next time we will just totally ignore you and start chatting amongst ourselves then Your jokes were quite funny but I was too pre-occupied taking notes for my report to relax enough to laugh at them - hence the time you accussed me of sleeping