SIDE LAB MANUAL

Abstract

The laboratory has become more essential in the clinical examination of patients. However there has been a tendency for the clinician to relegate even simple tests to specialist laboratory workers. This has its disadvantages. First, the clinician has less insight into the meaning and potential errors of the test. Second, depending on the main lab the test results may become available later than if the tests were done in a ward side-lab. Finally, the side-lab tests may be the only results available to the clinician during an emergency at night.