This talk will cover different approaches to emergency hemostasis testing for patients that are actively bleeding due to trauma, surgery, obstetrical emergencies and other causes. The talk includes a discussion of rapid testing in the clinical laboratory, satellite laboratories and point of care testing using standard coagulation assays (prothrombin time, fibrinogen, platelet count and hematocrit) versus viscoelastic methodology. Critical aspects of emergency versus routine testing are reviewed and platelet function assays useful in rapid assessment of bleeding patients are discussed.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the different types of coagulation assays used for emergency testing
2. Understand critical differences between routine and emergency testing
3. Understand role of platelet function testing