Training for the taking, reading, quantification and interpretation of thick film. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 2014-2016

Abstract

Introduction: Thick film is a routine technique consisting of a concentrated blood sample where the erythrocytes are hemoglobinized during the precoloration and coloration that facilitates the identification of the parasites that could be present in the interior.
Objective: training with the purpose of training technicians and graduates in clinical laboratory, to make a correct take and reading of the sample in the veracity detection of malaria cases.
Method: the training was directed to all Cuban collaborators licensed or clinical laboratory technicians from Venezuela, to complement in a theoretical-practical way how the procedure is performed to take, read and quantify the thick films, issue a correct laboratory diagnosis and to raise the quality of the service provided by the Cuban Medical Mission in the State of Bolivar and throughout the country.
Results: all Cuban technical collaborators or graduates (100 %) received the training.
Conclusion: knowledge and skills were developed in laboratory technicians and graduates in clinical bioanalysis to adequately perform the collection, reading, staining and quantification of the thick films for the diagnosis of malaria. The trainees the fundamental characteristics of malaria as an endemic disease recognized it. The morphological characteristics of the elements were identified with emphasis on the erythrocyte and morphological alterations of the parasitized erythrocytes. The trainees were able to master the techniques of sampling, reading, coloring and quantification of thick films.