Placement
I’m finding work in blood transfusion so enjoyable and I’m beginning to feel like a
scientist. We have two DiaMed Gelstation analysers that aren’t in routine use as of yet due to some interface issues. So because they’re not validated they’re my toys! I was asked to start recording the turnaround times for different tests and different number of sample batches. The manufacturer suggests 8 for a group and screen to be optimal. 16 samples took just under two hours to come off, 8 samples 53 minutes. So I decided to separate the 16 into two batches of 8, programming the second batch to start dropping while the 1st incubated and spun, and was able to shave off 19 minutes off the turnaround time (about 2 hours off for every 100 samples). Now I know that the people working there, if the machines were in routine use, would have come to the same conclusion too, but it felt great to be able to figure out something they didn’t know. The medical scientist training me up suggested that I do my 4th year project on optimising analyser performance (last two years in a row Letterkenny students won student of the year - that would be daaaacent).
I can do science me
Went to the oncology ward to observe a transfusion taking place. It was being done in the chemotherapy room, where all the patients are bouched out on leather recliners and watching TV, while having poison injected into them. Must stop smoking.
I’ve noticed that when I write the word analyser or analysed or analyse, I stop for a brief moment and giggle in my head.
