TECH185-0910: The Complete Urinalysis Module 1-Collection, Chemistries, and Sediments

INSTRUCTOR:
Cheryl Stockman, MT (ASCP) & Joyce Knoll, VMD, PhD, DACVP

DATES:
September 16-October 16, 2010
Real Time Sessions: Wednesday evenings, September 22, 29, and October 6, 2010; 8:30pm -10:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Urinalysis is most accurate when performed soon after sample collection. Veterinarians often rely on veterinary technicians to perform this analysis. This course is designed to provide the veterinary technician with in-depth, useable knowledge on how to perform a urinalysis, as well as information about factors that affect accuracy of results. The skills covered in this class are best learned by the team of the veterinarian and veterinary technician in an effort to work together in finding all diagnostics accurately and combining them to aid the veterinarian in formulating a diagnosis. This course is highly recommended prior to taking The Complete Urinalysis Module 2. Technical aspects of performing an urinalysis will NOT be covered in the next module.

Dr. Joyce Knoll and Ms. Cheryl Stockman comprise a team that works together in clinical pathology to aid clinician's diagnostic abilities in veterinary medicine. They have team taught several courses on VSPN and VIN CE as well as taught individually to those in the veterinary profession for the past several years. This course will consist of three (3), ninety (90) minute real-time sessions, detailed presentations with slides when appropriate, and library materials provided on all topics. There will be multiple choice homework quizzes designed to enhance course effectiveness and material retention as well as interactive message board discussions.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to complete

• chemistry tests on a urine sample, utilizing both Dipstix� and other confirmatory tests.
• a microscopic examination of urine sediment and avoid factors that may result in invalid or artifactual urinalysis results.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required text for this course; however the instructors recommend the following:

• Mundt, L. A. & Shanahan, K. (2010). Graff's Textbook of Routine Urinalysis and Body Fluids, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co. VIN Store: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=85272&c=19520
• Sink, C. A. & Feldman, B. F. (2004). Laboratory Urinalysis and Hematology for the Small Animal Practitioner. Jackson, Teton NewMedia. VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=95076

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: How to Perform an Urinalysis and the Effects of Sample Collection
Content: This session of the course will go through the steps of an urinalysis (with a few possibly surprising recommendations along the way), and will review how sample collection can affect results. The emphasis during this session will be on chemical analysis of urine and specific gravity determination. The rationale for using tests such as Ictotest� tablets or the sulfosalicylic acid test to confirm chemical dipstick results will be discussed.

Week 2: Microscopic evaluation of Urine Sediment
Content: This session will use images to illustrate common and uncommon (but clinically significant) abnormalities that can be found in urine sediment. The discussion will cover common pitfalls when looking at urine sediment, pros and cons of using Sedi-stain�, and the clinical significance of certain findings. Guidelines for identification of elements in unstained preparations and information on additional techniques that can be used to confirm the presence of bacteria or aid in identification of unknown crystals will be provided.

Week 3: Review of Urine Sediment Abnormalities
Content: In this session, participants will have a chance to challenge their procedural knowledge and test their ability to identify urine sediment elements. This session will consist of image after image of "What is it?" Using the polling function, participants can individually assess their ability to identify structures discussed in real time sessions and as seen in the specimens submitted every day in a working lab. Processing and testing questions will be also used in the same manner. It will be a session based on interactive polling, without the traditional lecture-like format.

LIBRARY MATERIALS: Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS: Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 4.5

TUITION:
$90 ($81 early bird special before September 2, 2010).
*Enroll in both Modules before September 22, 2010 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course price. *Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Enrollment will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session

**The Participant's Resource Center includes all you need to know about online CE with VIN and VSPN.

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
5. VIN Member veterinarians ARE ELIGIBLE to take this course; we are requesting RACE accreditation for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. **Please access the course enrollment through www.vspn.org/CE.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 4.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VSPN or VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org

VSPN CE Services:
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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