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An attempt to replicate a study of the accuracy of test results of medical laboratories was unsuccessful. Limitations of the obtained data prevented the research from having satisfactory internal validity, so no formal report was published. External validity of the study was also limited because the systematic random sample of 78 licensed laboratories (of 222) in Illinois did not include hospital laboratories, which were not licensed. The independent variable was the proportion of individuals of a given certification affiliation to the total number of personnel employed in a given laboratory. The dependent variable was reported accuracy on the College of American Pathologists proficiency tests. Data were collected from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Proficiency test data, from 1986, were available for only 27 of the laboratories in the original random sample. Personnel data were from September 1987. The time lag between proficiency test and personnel data was of primary concern regarding the internal validity of the study, as it was possible that currently employed laboratory personnel were not responsible for testing performed at a given laboratory 18 months earlier. In addition, certification status on employment records was not required by the State of Illinois. Solid evidence for the accuracy of laboratory results should be derived from comparisons made at the level of the individual, since individuals actually perform tests. (Two references are included in the document.) (CML)

The prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) seropositivity and the association of seropositivity with demographic, personal health, and professional experiences were studied in a cohort of Army Medical Department officer personnel. Serologic evidence of Hepatitis B infection was found in 5.0 per cent of personnel and was associated with age, sex, place of birth, history of hepatitis, history of blood transfusion, and previous overseas assignments. Seropositivity rates were higher for patient care oriented officer personnel, especially for those in surgical specialties, and rose with increasing professional experience. These data present a composite of risk factors operative in the acquisition of Hepatitis B seropositivity and identify a cohort for prospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the second part of the series of case studies in hematology, wherein participants will read the information and select the best answer to the question. A slide for each case study is provided.

The article offers a review of the avian influenza, a member of the Type A family of viruses that can affect domestic species such as swine, equine and avian. The bird flu is caused by an influenza virus that occurs naturally in birds and it is a disease that reaches from a mild or asymptomatic infection to an acute fatal disease of avian species especially migratory waterfowl. The virus, called H5N1, is spread from bird to bird. The author says that it is now understood that humans can become infected through contact with infected birds.

The article presents the first part of a series of case studies in hematology, wherein participants will read the information and select the best answer to the question. A slide for each case study is provided.

Discusses issues related to the American Medical Technologists Institute for Education (AMTIE), as of August 2005. Name of a new award established by the AMTIE; Outcome of the National Convention of the institute in Kansas City, Missouri; Information on new AMTIE brochures.