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Hematology |
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Hematology |
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Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology
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Hematology is the study of blood, both the cells
and the fluid portion, called plasma. The cells include the red blood cells which carry
oxygen to the tissues, white blood cells which function in our bodily defense, and
platelets which are a major player in blood clotting. The plasma carries nutrients, other
bodily chemicals and messengers, and contains coagulation factors which help the platelets
in the clotting process. As medical technologists, we study the origins of each of the
blood components, the diseases in any of these components, and how we can utilize
laboratory methods to help monitor the health of and diagnose diseases of the blood. For
example, a medical technologist may perform a patient’s complete blood count (CBC) by
means of a sophisticated instrument. This blood count may be used by the physician or
health-care provider to diagnose sickle-cell anemia, leukemia or an extreme infection. A
medical technologist can also evaluate the coagulation system by testing plasma and
platelet components, for example, to help monitor a patient with hemophilia, or a
heart-attack victim on blood-thinners.
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