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TECH114-0608: The Complete Urinalysis

INSTRUCTORS:
Joyce Knoll, VMD; PhD, DACVP, Cheryl Stockman, MT (ASCP)

DATES:
June 16-July 27, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Thursday evenings, June 19, 26, and July 3, 10, and 17, 2008; 8:00-10:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Urinalysis is most accurate when performed soon after sample collection, and 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. In addition, the course will use a case-based approach to introduce information on interpretation of urinalysis results in the context of clinical signs and other supporting laboratory abnormalities (e.g. CBC and chemistry profile).

This course will consist of five (5), two (2) hour 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 participants should be able to

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

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: How to Perform an Urinalysis and the effects of Sample Collection
Content: This section of the course will go through the steps of a 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 sulfasalicyclic acid test to confirm Dipstix results will be discussed, as well as the "how's" and "why's" of the new Heska microalbuminemia test.

Week 2: Microscopic evaluation of Urine Sediment
Content: This section 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: Interpretation of Urine Sediment Abnormalities
Content: In this section we will use a series of clinical cases to illustrate how some urine sediment abnormalities can be useful in making a diagnosis. Abnormalities to be discussed will include hematuria, pyuria, casts, and pathologic crystals.

Week 4: Interpretation of Urine Chemistry Abnormalities
Content: In this section we will use a series of clinical cases to illustrate how some urine chemistry abnormalities (in association with findings in the sediment) can be useful in making a diagnosis. Abnormalities to be discussed will include proteinuria, hemoglobinuria, myoglobinuria, glucosuria, and bilirubinuria.

Week 5: Interpretation of Specific Gravity in conjunction with Serum Chemistry Abnormalities
Content: This session will introduce the concept of azotemia, its causes and its classification scheme. Through a series of cases, we will discuss how urine specific gravity can be used to assess kidney function and distinguish pre-renal azotemia, as a result of blood loss or dehydration, from renal azotemia caused by kidney disease.

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: 10

TUITION:
$195 ($175.00 early bird special if registered before June 2, 2008).
*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.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm

**For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:
How to's of online CE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/VSPN_M02233.htm
Policies and Procedures: https://www.vin.com/Members/VSPN/Library/Misc/VSPN_M06292.htm

TO REGISTER:

  1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
  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.

Note: "This course has been approved for 10 hours of continuing education credit 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).


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 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).
Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org), ext 197 VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881

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

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