Proposed Bylaws Amendments

The ASCLS Board of Directors is recommending the following changes to the ASCLS Bylaws. These amendments will be discussed and voted upon at the House of Delegates meeting to be held Thursday, August 2, 2018, at the Swissotel Chicago.  Background: For the last two years, ASCLS leadership, including the board, and the membership, policy and…

A Common Case

Kyleigh Ellis, Region VII Student Representative Case Study: A young, recent college graduate walks into a lab setting to meet with a clinical laboratory supervisor seeking a job. He is sweating profusely and seems to be shaking. Stuttering, he admits to being extremely nervous. Signs & Symptoms  Sweaty palms Nausea Weak knees Clnical Signs Nerves…

A Case of Blue-Green Neutrophil Inclusions

S. Renee Hodgkins, PhD, MT(ASCP); Jennifer Jones, MLS(ASCP)CM A 43-year-old female presented with syncope one day after routine umbilical hernia repair surgery. A CT scan revealed an abdominal wall hematoma. The patient rapidly progressed to multi-organ failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury. Two days post-surgery, she was transferred to a large…

Membership Changes Encourage Long Term Membership

In March, the ASCLS Board of Directors approved changes to the Society’s membership dues, which is part of a multiyear effort to modernize and simplify ASCLS membership structures. These changes will be in effect for the coming Society year and will be reflected in the upcoming renewals for 2018-2019 ASCLS membership. Single regular Professional Category…

The Scapegoat

Franki-Marie Herdt, MLT(ASCP) I have been a microbiology technician at a local regional medical center for a little more than three years now and have worked with numerous doctors, nurses, and pharmacists during this time. The medical center employs great doctors and nurses who are respectful and understand the laboratory profession and our importance in…

Case Study: Anaerobiospirillum Succiniciproducens Induced Septicemia in an Immunocompromised Farmer

Monica Bustos, MSHS, SM(ASCP)CM A 74-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation, chronic renal impairment, diabetes mellitus II, essential hypertension, gout, and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency room with hypotension, some shortness of breath, and dizziness. The patient had a sudden onset of shortness of breath with acute decompensation and hypotension the morning of…