Dear Colleagues:

I am currently in the midst of a small policy debate regarding the allowance of
"non-
medical" personnel (a registered nurse or physician) to perform phlebotomy, the
placement of venous catheters and the ability to perform biopsy studies.

Currently, I have managed to clear the phlebotomy and catheter hurdle, but not
the biopsy
hurdle.

With an underlying assumption that any personnel performing these techniques
should be
adequately trained, would you mind sharing either privately or on the list your
institutions
policies regarding the performance of these laboratory techniques.

I would also be curious to know that when performing the muscle biopsy
technique, how
often are "side effects" encountered. Though I can easily anticipate soreness
and bruising,
I am more curious about the incidence/rate of infection or nerve damage.

Thanks for your time – Please feel free to respond to the list or privately.

Happy holidays,

Conrad
_________________
Conrad Earnest, PhD
Director: Exercise Biology Laboratory
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
6400 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124
Tel. (225) 763-2923
Fax: (225) 763-0905
EM. Conrad.Earnest@...