Why don’t Medical Scientists provide a diagnosis for blood films?
While the Haematology QAP encourages all staff who reviews blood films to attempt a diagnosis, it is understood that there are many branch laboratories in remote areas with no Pathologist on site, full time. These scientists are required to review the blood films and report any abnormalities. They are not expected to diagnose the case, only to refer onto a Pathologist. Where a scientist reports the morphology cases and provides an acceptable response, they will be coded accordingly. However, where a scientist has taken the extra step and provides a diagnosis which is unacceptable, the Haematology QAP will then review the features noted and if all diagnostic features are provided then a ‘Good Description’ code will be given. The QAP does not wish to discourage scientists in remote locations who do not see many abnormal films from ‘having a go’.
