#11

February 12, 2014
Participating at "Ēnu diena 2014": shadowing an immunohematology laboratory assistant at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital

"Ēnu diena" is an annual event, usually taking place in the middle of February, during which students are given the opportunity to spend a day shadowing a representative of a profession of their interest. Although I have been well aware of my interest in medicine and biomedical sciences for quite a few years, for the first time I took up my courage and signed up to shadow a laboratory assistant at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital. Regardless of the considerable competition - seven people per place - I got to spend the day following a laboratory assistant together with five other students my age. Needless to say - I was waiting the day with bated breath, certain that it will be a truly exciting experience.

All shadows - future doctors and scientists - arrived at the hospital at 8 am for a brief opening ceremony. We were welcomed and congratulated by a former anesthesiologist who is now the hospital's manager and whose daily life consists mostly of paperwork. Then we listened to the Dean of RSU Faculty of Medicine, who gave a truly inspiring speech about becoming and being a doctor. Were I not already intent to study natural sciences, he would have had a good chance of persuading me - that is how powerful the speech seemed to me.

When the official part was over, we were divided into groups according to the profession each of us had decided to shadow. As it turned out, shadowing a laboratory assistant, apart from myself, had seemed as the right choice for four other girls, all of which were eleventh-graders, and one guy from 10th grade. The six of us were eventually taken to the laboratory, although it took way more time than it should have, since the local lady that was assigned to lead our way did not really known the laboratory's location. As a result we got to climb stairs up and down, wander in different buildings and even in basement with our heads reaching to the ceiling, until we finally got to the laboratory.

Since I expected to see the process of performing CBC or some biochemical tests, I was a little disappointed when we arrived at the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. However, all traces of disappointment were soon gone, for exploring the field of blood typing was fun, especially considering my interest in genetics. We took a tour around together with the chief assistant, and the only downside of it was the lack of integral biological knowledge of some fellow shadows, who were not at all familiar with the ABO blood group system. Because of that - apart from the questions I asked directly - I did learn as much about scientific aspects of immunohematology as about the mundane job of a laboratory assistant with two to three years' college education. I did still get to see fractionation of blood samples, some of the work done afterwards and the large refrigerators for storage of packed red blood cells, plasma and even pure human albumin extracted from it.

Also, even if we did not get to do this by ourselves, we were given the chance to find out our ABO blood group. Although I knew mine already, I was not about to miss this opportunity. After taking blood from my finger, the chief laboratory assistant mixed one part of it with Anti-A reagent and the other - with Anti-B. Then we had to wait three whole minutes to make sure that there was really no reaction and that none of the blood formed precipitate, which proved that my blood group is 0. Interesting, but two other girls whose blood group was tested had B and AB groups, so we got to see precipitate forming in one as well as in both samples.

Later, apparently because there was nothing else to show, the assistant spontaneously got the idea to take us to the Blood Donation Department, from which samples of blood are brought to the laboratory. Despite the fact that nurses working at this department seemed more intent to talk about themselves and their adventures, we got to see some of the technologically advanced apparatus they work with and even 400ml bags of warm blood that were not even centrifuged yet. Even better - during our visit, an actual blood donor not only arrived, but also allowed us to watch. That concluded this spectacular day... at least for me. One girl - the only one who was eighteen - spontaneously signed up to donate her blood. I can only admire her courage.

As usual, here are some photos, most of them taken during the first two hours.

registration; before the official opening

at immunohematology reference laboratory

blood sample refrigerator; temperature is regularly controlled

anti-A and anti-B reagents

chief laboratory assistant - our tour guide - preparing for the blood test

AB blood group - blood has reacted with both antigens

observing a laboratory assistant at work ©www.stradini.lv

...really keenly observing ©www.stradini.lv

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My reflections

This was the first time I signed up for "Ēnu diena", and it was an interesting experience regardless of its downsides. Technically I - together with five other students - got to shadow an immunohematology laboratory assistant, although in the end we did not follow one particular person and even got to see the Blood Donation Department, which is located in another building. I must admit, I had expected to learn more about blood from scientific point of view, rather than about the profession itself, since I intend neither to become a laboratory assistant nor to study at RSU. Out of the six of us I was the only one who asked questions related to science, and - judging by our tour guide's countenance - eventually my inquisitiveness appeared annoying to him. Still, we were introduced to the newest methods for blood typing and storing, and we also had the chance to determine our own blood group. I knew mine already, but of course I did not miss the opportunity to see drops of my blood being mixed with anti-A and anti-B reagents. To be honest, this was one of the most interesting parts of the whole day, even if performing the test by ourselves would have been better.
While altogether I was satisfied and had a lot of fun, the organization of the event was a serious disappointment. First of all, we spent half an hour pointlessly wandering around the territory, for our initial guide did not know the way to the laboratory, considering that it has changed its location during the past few years. Secondly, I got the impression that the people at laboratory had not cared enough to actually prepare for our arrival, especially since they took us to the Blood Donation Department just to pass the time. Even if I am certainly not complaining about this turn of events, it was not particularly nice on their part, but nevertheless I do not for a second regret participating in this event.