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LABORATORY.

Levels of Portable Laboratories

Level 1 The Basics: The easiest way to do lab in a portable setting is to keep it simple. Just carry three things: 1. Urine dip strips 2. UHCG dip strips 3. Glucometer With these three things you get useful knowledge without a lot of headache.	Level 2 Adding a Microscope allows you to do: 1. Uurine cytology 2. l secretion diagnostics 3. Manual CBCs if you have a lab tech patient enough to count cells manually. Limited to areas with electricity.
Level 3 Pathology can be added by carrying specimen cups and formaldehyde. The difficulty is locating patients when the pathology results return. Be sure to involve a local pastor or community leader who knows where all patients live.	Level 4 Pap smears can be added with very little difficulty. Glass slides, Fixative, specula, and cervical spatulas are all you need. This service can be life saving for unscreened women.
Level 5 Automated Laboratory: If you choose to take this root you need to involve Ed Boss from World Wide Lab Improvement. This organization supports over 150 Missionary Hospitals and Clinics in about 60 different countries. The sad truth is that automated electronic chemical and CBC analyzers don't function well if they are subjected to variations in temperature, vibration, and dust. This pretty much excludes them from a mobile environment.