Phlebotomy
PHLEBOTOMY DICTIONARY
MLT 410 · Intro to Clinical Lab · Saddleback College
Weeks 5 & 6 · Chapters 6 & 9 · Key Terms & Definitions
HOW TO USE THIS DICTIONARY
Terms are organized alphabetically. Each entry includes the full definition drawn from your study guide and clinical dialogues, the relevant chapter, and a clinical note to help connect the term to real practice. Use this resource alongside your study guide and dialogues to prepare for exams and clinical rotations.
| A | |
| Autoclave Ch. 6 | A device used to sterilize laboratory equipment, glassware, and other objects using high-pressure steam to kill or inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Operating temperature typically ranges from 250–273°F. 💡 Note: Essential lab equipment for infection control and maintaining sterile conditions. |
| Auto-verification Ch. 9 | A computer-based process in which algorithms automatically perform actions on a defined subset of laboratory results without the need for manual intervention. Occurs during the analytical phase of testing and improves both speed and consistency. 💡 Note: Part of the post-analytical workflow; reduces human error in result reporting. |
| Automation Ch. 9 | The use of computerized instruments to perform laboratory testing with minimal human intervention. Benefits include reduction of medical errors, reduced specimen volume, increased accuracy and precision, improved staff safety, faster turnaround time, and partial relief of the laboratory staff shortage. 💡 Note: Four basic components common to automated instruments: versatility, flexibility, high volume, and speed of testing. |
| C | |
| Centrifuge Ch. 6 | A device that uses centrifugal force generated by rapid rotation or spinning to separate solid material from liquid based on density. The supernatant (fluid) rises to the top; the precipitate or packed sediment settles to the bottom. 💡 Note: Used to separate serum or plasma from blood cells. Two common types are the serological centrifuge (larger volumes) and the microfuge (small volumes, e.g., DNA or protein samples). |
| Certificate of Waiver Ch. 9 | A license issued to healthcare sites that perform only waived testing. Sites must adhere strictly to manufacturers’ instructions when performing tests under this certificate. 💡 Note: Required by CLIA before a physician’s office or clinic can legally perform waived tests such as rapid COVID or urine dipstick. |
| CLIA Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (1988) Ch. 9 | Federal legislation enacted in 1988 that regulates all clinical laboratory testing performed on human specimens in the United States. ALL laboratory testing — including POCT — falls under CLIA jurisdiction. Sites must be licensed, and state/city governments may impose additional (but not less stringent) regulations. 💡 Note: Ultimate regulatory authority for lab testing quality and personnel qualifications. CLIA-certified labs must have at least one credentialed staff member responsible for each POCT program. |
| D | |
| Deionized Water Ch. 6 | Water from which ions have been removed through the process of deionization. Used in laboratory procedures requiring high purity. 💡 Note: Deionization is one of several purification steps used to produce Type I or Type II reagent water. |
| Distilled Water Ch. 6 | Purified water produced by boiling water to create steam, then collecting and condensing the purified vapor. Removes many contaminants, minerals, and dissolved solids. 💡 Note: Used in the production of Type II and Type III reagent water. |
| H | |
| Handheld POCT Ch. 9 | Portable, microprocessor-based point-of-care testing devices that provide automated, easy-to-perform testing with on-board calibration and quality control. Results are comparable in accuracy and precision to central laboratory analyzers. 💡 Note: Key advantages: small blood sample required, rapid turnaround time, easy protocol, ambient temperature reagent storage, economical cost, maintenance-free operation, and software for automatic calibration, system lockouts, and LIS data interface. |
| HIS Hospital Information System Ch. 9 | A comprehensive computer system focused on the overall management and operation of an entire hospital or healthcare institution, including administrative, financial, and clinical data. Distinct from the LIS, which manages only laboratory operations. 💡 Note: The LIS interfaces with the HIS: a physician ordering a test in the HIS triggers the LIS to receive and process the request, and results flow back to the HIS for review. |
| Highly Complex Tests Ch. 9 | One of the four CLIA test categories, requiring the most stringent personnel qualifications, quality control documentation, and oversight. Typically performed by trained laboratorians in a central lab setting. 💡 Note: See also: Waived Tests, Moderately Complex Tests, Provider-Performed Tests. |
| I | |
| Instrument Validation Ch. 9 | A required process for moderately complex POCT in which each new instrument must be validated before patient use, confirming it performs accurately within acceptable parameters. 💡 Note: This is an additional requirement beyond what is needed for waived tests. |
| L | |
| LIS Laboratory Information System Ch. 9 | A computer system that serves as the primary tool for delivery of laboratory data and integration of laboratory computers through a common database via various communication networks. Key capabilities include QC storage, comprehensive analyzer interface support, regulatory compliance tools, data sharing with third parties, automated result report dissemination, and rules-based logic for decision support. 💡 Note: Focuses specifically on laboratory operations; interfaces with the broader HIS. |
| LIMS Laboratory Information Management System Ch. 9 | A system that represents the transmission of sample-centric information with the goal of providing timely and accurate data to clinicians. Routinely integrates automation and data handling, provides uniform methodology with complete visibility, and leads to increased productivity and process integrity. 💡 Note: Compared to the LIS (result-focused), LIMS is sample-focused — tracking specimens from collection through analysis. |
| M | |
| Microfuge Ch. 6 | A smaller, high-speed centrifuge designed to quickly separate small volumes of samples such as DNA, proteins, and cell components. 💡 Note: Also called a microcentrifuge. Ideal when working with micro-volume specimens. |
| Moderately Complex Tests Ch. 9 | One of the four CLIA test categories, requiring additional personnel qualifications and QC documentation beyond what is required for waived tests. Instrument validation is also required for each new moderately complex POCT instrument. 💡 Note: See also: Waived Tests, Highly Complex Tests, Provider-Performed Tests. |
| N | |
| Non-Automated POCT Ch. 9 | Manual rapid test methods that do not require electronic instruments or analyzers — only a test strip, cup, or simple kit. Common examples include pregnancy tests, fecal occult blood tests, infectious mononucleosis tests, and flu/RSV/COVID rapid kits. 💡 Note: No electronic analyzer needed; results are read visually. Still subject to CLIA regulations. |
| P | |
| pH Ch. 6 | A numeric scale (0–16) that quantifies the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, measuring acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 0 is most acidic; 16 is most alkaline. Measured using a pH meter, which displays the value on a digital screen. 💡 Note: Critical in clinical lab work for preparing reagents, buffers, and quality control solutions. |
| pH Meter Ch. 6 | A laboratory instrument that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution based on its hydrogen ion concentration. It displays the pH value digitally, allowing direct reading of results. 💡 Note: Used to verify proper pH of reagents and buffers in the clinical laboratory. |
| POCT Point-of-Care Testing Ch. 9 | Laboratory assays or medical diagnostic testing performed near the patient — at the bedside or in a physician’s office — rather than in a centralized laboratory setting. Results are available in minutes rather than hours. 💡 Note: Defining features are speed and proximity to the patient. Examples: bedside glucose meters, rapid flu/COVID tests, urine dipsticks. |
| Post-Analytical Phase Ch. 9 | The final phase of laboratory testing in which results are reported, reviewed, and transmitted. Computer applications in this phase include laboratory report generation, dissemination of critical patient values, and auto-verification. 💡 Note: See also: Pre-Analytical Phase, Analytical Phase. |
| Pre-Analytical Phase Ch. 9 | The first phase of laboratory testing, encompassing all steps before the specimen is analyzed. Computer applications in this phase include patient demographics and test ordering. 💡 Note: Also includes specimen collection, labeling, transport, and processing. |
| Precipitate Ch. 6 | The packed sediment or solid material that settles at the bottom of a centrifuge tube after centrifugation, due to its greater density compared to the liquid phase. 💡 Note: In blood samples, this includes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets after centrifugation. |
| Provider-Performed Tests Ch. 9 | One of the four CLIA test categories, consisting of microscopy procedures performed by a physician or mid-level practitioner during a patient’s visit. Require specific personnel qualifications and CLIA oversight. 💡 Note: See also: Waived Tests, Moderately Complex Tests, Highly Complex Tests. |
| Q | |
| QC Quality Control Ch. 9 | A systematic set of procedures and materials used to monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory testing. All lab testing — including POCT — must maintain the same quality standards regardless of location. Written QC policies and procedures must be available for patient preparation, specimen collection, instrument calibration, test performance, equipment evaluation, and result reporting. 💡 Note: POCT does NOT eliminate QC requirements. The CLIA-certified lab retains control of all POCT quality programs. |
| R | |
| Reagent Water — Type I Ch. 6 | The highest purity grade of laboratory water. Produced using multiple purification stages including deionization, reverse osmosis, and removal of organics and particulates via activated carbon and filtration. 💡 Note: Used for preparation of standard solutions, buffers, controls, electrophoresis, toxicology screening, and HPLC procedures. |
| Reagent Water — Type II Ch. 6 | A moderately purified grade of laboratory water. Produced through reverse osmosis or distillation, followed by additional deionization and activated carbon filtration. 💡 Note: Used for qualitative chemistry procedures and most procedures in hematology, immunology, and microbiology. |
| Reagent Water — Type III Ch. 6 | The lowest purity grade of laboratory reagent water. Produced through distillation, deionization, or simple filtration. 💡 Note: Used only for qualitative laboratory tests where high purity is not critical. |
| Reverse Osmosis Ch. 6 | A water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities, ions, and other contaminants from water by applying pressure to force water molecules through the membrane. 💡 Note: Used in the production of Type I and Type II reagent water. |
| Rotor Ch. 6 | The component of a centrifuge that holds sample tubes on the spinning shaft and rotates at high speed to generate centrifugal force for specimen separation. 💡 Note: Must be balanced correctly to prevent mechanical damage or sample spillage. |
| S | |
| Serological Centrifuge Ch. 6 | A centrifuge designed for the separation of larger volumes of blood samples, urine, and other body fluids. 💡 Note: Distinct from the microfuge, which handles very small sample volumes. |
| Supernatant Ch. 6 | The fluid layer that remains at the top of a centrifuge tube after centrifugation, above the denser precipitate or packed sediment. In blood tubes, this is the serum or plasma. 💡 Note: The portion of the sample typically used for most clinical chemistry analyses. |
| System Lockout Ch. 9 | A safety feature in handheld POCT devices in which software automatically prevents patient testing if quality control parameters are not met or QC fails. 💡 Note: Ensures that inaccurate or unverified results are never reported to clinicians. |
| T | |
| TAT Turnaround Time Ch. 9 | The total time from specimen collection to result reporting. A major advantage of POCT is significantly reduced TAT compared to central laboratory testing, enabling faster clinical decision-making. 💡 Note: Shorter TAT can reduce hospital length of stay and improve patient outcomes. |
| TJC The Joint Commission Ch. 9 | An independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States. TJC defines waived tests as diagnostic testing not performed within a traditional laboratory setting. 💡 Note: Sites performing waived tests must hold a Certificate of Waiver and follow manufacturer instructions. |
| W | |
| Waived Tests Ch. 9 | According to TJC, diagnostic tests not performed within a traditional laboratory that have been cleared by the FDA for home use, employ simple and accurate methodologies, and pose minimal risk of harm if performed incorrectly. Sites performing waived tests must have a Certificate of Waiver and must follow manufacturers’ instructions exactly. 💡 Note: Examples: urine dipstick, fasting glucose, rapid strep, rapid flu, home pregnancy tests. One of four CLIA test categories. |
Source materials: Phlebotomy Clinical Dialogues (MLT 410, Weeks 5 & 6) · Weeks 5 & 6 Study Guide Key · Saddleback College Lab Assistant / Phlebotomy Program
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