Department of
Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine

Educational Goals and Objectives

All PGY levels have the same goals and objectives. However the expectation for the resident’s performance increases as they gain experience and we will monitor this with our statistical program.
The goals and objectives of the Hematology and Coagulation experience is to prepare and enable residents to:

  • Demonstrate competency in the performing laboratory procedures involved in the blood and coagulation disorders including the morphology of various anemias, the work-up of bleeding and coagulation disorders, and performance of cell counts/differentials on body fluid specimens and differentiate reactive versus malignant processes in order to be able to practice independently.
  • Demonstrate professional behavior regarding patients, other physicians and all clinical laboratory personnel.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to reviewing and improving hematology and coagulation practice patterns and to life-long learning.
  • Discuss the scientific basis of hematology and coagulation, such as detailed knowledge of the various nutritional and other anemias, leukemoid reactions and leukemias on peripheral blood smears, their clinical presentation and morphology and the ability to utilize the medical literature and modern techniques to provide optimal patient care.
  • Communicate effectively in verbal and written form with their clinical colleagues, administrative, technical, and clerical personnel.
  • Explain the policies and regulations affecting health care (i.e., CAP accreditation, HIPAA, compliance to Medicare and billing regulations, etc.)

The goals of the rotation in the Urinalysis section of Hematology are to ensure that the resident understands the principles, methods and interpretation of laboratory testing performed on urine; develop the morphologic skills necessary to become competent in the interpretation of microscopic urine sediments; understand the basic principles of management and the operations of a urinalysis section; and train the resident to oversee the activities of general urinalysis testing, automated and manual.

Training Structure

The resident rotation in Urinalysis and Medical Microscopy is part of the Hematology and General Chemistry rotations since most of the morphology is encountered on the Path Table and the automated section goals are accomplished by observation in the laboratory, self instruction and some didactic tutoring. The resident is provided with self instruction modules on Urinalysis basic and advanced testing and is expected to complete these modules during the rotation. Observation of the technologists performing urinalysis testing is required with microscopic examination of urine. Crystals and casts in urine are examined under the microscope with attending pathologists and a discussion with clinical information taken from Medsite is conducted. Clinicians are notified when appropriate.

The resident is expected to sign-out all casts, crystals and other urinalysis testing requiring a pathology interpretation with the attending clinical pathologist. The resident is expected to review all proficiency testing involving Urinalysis and Medical Microscopy with the pathologist.

Interpretive Reports

Interpretive reports from Urinalysis and Medical Microscopy include the following:

  • Urine casts
  • Urine crystals
  • Body fluid analysis

Graduated Responsibility

During the first rotation, the resident signs out with the pathologist whereas during the second and third rotations, the resident is expected to assume responsibility for interpreting the cases and bringing them to the pathologist