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Dykes Library

Online Medical Reference System (OMRS)

Medical Procedures, Laboratory Tests, and Reference Values

Medical Procedures
Books in this category contain different types of information about many medical procedures. Information about a medical procedure may also be found in books about the disease or injury for which it is necessary. For current journal articles, search your topic in a print index or computer database, or request an intermediated search.

Laboratory tests & Reference values
Books in this category contain different types of information about many laboratory tests and reference values. Reference values (or ranges) are used in the interpretation of most laboratory tests. They are usually located in a separate table or appendix at the end of a book. It is always a good idea to look in the front of any book for information explaining the contents of a book or for instructions on its use. You may also want to look up the test you are interested in in several books. Information about a laboratory test or reference value may also be found with the disease or injury for which it is necessary. For current journal articles on laboratory tests, search your topic in a print index or computer database, or request an intermediated search.

Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide

compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group

Covers alternative medical therapies, such as acupuncture, biofeedback training, chiropractic, and more. Includes a section arranged by health condition. A cautionary statement, " . . . this book should not be substituted for the advice and treatment of a physician . . . ," appears at the beginning of each section.

Reference
WB
890
A466
1994


Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology: CPT

American Medical Association

Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) lists descriptive terms and identifying codes for reporting medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures under government and private health insurance programs.

Ready Reference
W
15
C1061


Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment

J. Englebert (John Englebert) Dunphy

This concise text provides brief descriptions of disease processes with the surgical procedures used for diagnosis and treatment. Arranged chiefly by organ system.

Ready Reference
WO
100
C976
2003


Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy

Malin Dollinger

Describes many therapeutic procedures for cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation, etc. Written for cancer patients and their families.

Ready Reference
QZ
201
D665
2002


Healthcare Standards

Finding aid for healthcare standards, practice guidelines, and other official documents issued by medical societies, professional associations, government agencies and other health-related agencies. Contains keyword index, list of standards by issuing organization, and list of laws/regulations by state.

Reference
W
22
AA1
H434


Medical Discoveries: Who and When

J. E. (Jacob Edward) Schmidt

Dictionary containing more than 6,000 entries of medical methods, procedures and operations developed before 1960. Includes the name, nationality, profession and birth/death dates of the discoverer or inventor.

Reference
WZ
13
Sch54m
1959


Medical Discoveries : Medical Breakthroughs and the People Who Developed Them

Reference
WZ
13
W489
1997


Physician's Fee and Coding Guide

compiled by HealthCare Consultants of America, Inc.

Lists medical procedures by CPT code. Each entry includes CPT code, code description, Medicare's RBRVS relative value and National Average Allowance, fee range and relative value. Appendices provide lists of Geographic Adjustment Factors to help readers refine the fee information to their specific locality.  Updated annually.

Reference
W
58
P5788


The Surgery Book: An Illustrated Guide to 73 of the Most Common Operations

R.M. Youngson

In addition to the illustrations of common surgeries, written descriptions of the surgeries are presented in everyday language. Information includes goals of the surgery, and long-term effects.

Reference
WO
75
Y81s
1997


Searching print indexes and databases for medical procedures

  • Print indexes
    Look in the subject section of Index Medicus for the name of the procedure, then scan the list for subheadings that are of interest to you. Some of the subheadings typically listed under a procedure term include adverse effects, economics, history, instrumentation, methods, standards, statistics and trends. If you cannot find your procedure listed in Index Medicus, look up the disease or injury for which the procedure is necessary. Then look under the appropriate diagnostic or therapeutic subheading, such as diagnosis, surgery, or therapy, and scan for titles which mention the procedure.
  • Databases
    Use the MeSH database in PubMed to find the name of the medical procedure and select specific subheadings (such as adverse effects, economics, history, methods, standards, etc.) for the aspects of the procedure you wish to search. If the procedure is not found in the thesaurus, enter the name of the procedure at the prompt. The computer will search for any mention of your term. If you retrieve too many citations, narrow your search by combining the procedure term with the name of the disease or injury for which the procedure is necessary.

Laboratory Tests & Reference Values

Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods

This comprehensive text portrays concisely current knowledge of molecular and clinical pathology. The seven sections reflect the organization of a laboratory by function and according to medical problems. The chapters within these sections emphasize topics that have compelling practical application to the patient. The first section includes a thorough explanation of laboratory medicine, instrumentation, interpretation of lab results and reference values. Appendix 4 includes tables showing reference values. This text is well indexed.

Reference
QY
4
C6405
2001


Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests

This book is divided into three main sections. Section I-General Clinical Tests is the largest. Test entries are arranged alphabetically. The following information is given for each entry in this section: test name, method, specimen requirements, reference range, interferences, diagnostic information and remarks. Both a test and disease index are included. The test index lists test names from all sections alphabetically and includes extensive cross-references. The disease index indicates which test is used in a specific disease state.

Reference
QY
25
C6413
1995


Conn's Current Therapy

This text is included because it contains an appendix with an explanation of reference values and tables showing reference values. The disease descriptions in this text may also contain information on diagnostic laboratory tests. This text is published annually.

Ready Reference
WB
300
C93


Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment

This text includes a chapter on diagnostic testing and an appendix with tables showing reference values. The disease descriptions in this text may also contain information on diagnostic laboratory tests. This text is published annually.

Ready Reference
WB
100
C976


Dictionary of Clinical Tests

This is a concise guide to tests, scales and scores in medicine. The tests are arranged alphabetically.

Reference
QY
39
D554
1993


Illustrated Guide to Diagnostic Tests

This book is organized into five major sections that include tests ranging from routine procedures, such as CBC and urinalysis, to complex tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging. Information given about each test includes: why it is useful and indications for using it, how it is performed, how it is likely to affect the patient, and what the test results indicate. Many useful tables are included in the appendices, including a table of laboratory reference values.

Ready Reference
QY
25
I29
1998


Laboratory Test Handbook

Clear, concise instructions on how to use this handbook are included at the beginning of the handbook. The tests are arranged alphabetically in chapters by major clinical laboratory disciplines. Each test listing includes five major types of information: test name, patient care, specimen, interpretive (including reference values), footnotes, and bibliographic references. An excellent glossary of acronyms and abbreviations is included. There are also three very useful indexes - a keyword index, a CPT index, and an alphabetical index.

Ready Reference
QY
39
L1227

 


Lab Tests Online

This peer-reviewed, online resource is designed to help patients better understand lab tests and their purpose. Listings are available by test, disease and age group.


Medical dictionaries

Brief definitions of laboratory tests may be found in most medical dictionaries. They are listed alphabetically under the word test or tests. Two medical dictionaries to look at are: Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary and Stedman's Medical Dictionary, Illustrated.  A medical dictionary is also available online through MedlinePlus.


Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy

This manual contains a chapter on laboratory medicine. It includes an explanation of normal laboratory values, a table of common tests and their disease associations and a table of normal laboratory values.  The Merck Manual is also available online in a searchable format.

Ready Reference
WB
100
M555
1999


<i>Patient's Guide to Medical Tests: Everything you Need to Know About the Tests Your Doctor Orders

As indicated by the title, this book is written for the patient.  Each test entry includes the following information: when performed, normal values, abnormal values, risk factors, general pain and discomfort factors, cost and accuracy and significance.

Ready Reference
WB
141
S454
2002


Saunders Dictionary & Encyclopedia of Laboratory Medicine and Technology

This book was created to provide in a single source comprehensive and authoritative definitions of terms used in the field of laboratory medicine. A lengthy appendix is included that covers reference ranges and laboratory values of clinical importance.

Reference
QY
13
S257
1984


Searching print indexes and databases for laboratory tests

  • Print indexes
    Look in the list of Index Medicus subject headings for the laboratory test you are interested in. If there is a subject heading for the test, then look in the subject section of Index Medicus under that heading. You might want to scan the entries for subheadings that are of interest to you. Some of the subheadings typically listed under a test heading include adverse effects, economics, history, instrumentation, methods, standards, statistics and trends. If you cannot find your test in Index Medicus, look up the disease or injury for which the test is necessary. Then look under the diagnosis subheading, and scan for journal article titles which mention the test.
  • Databases
    These instructions are for use with the PubMed search interface. Use the MeSH database to find the name of the laboratory test and select specific subheadings (such as adverse effects, economics, history, methods, standards, etc.) for the aspects of the test you wish to search. HINT: if you enter the term tests in the MeSH database (thesaurus) you will retrieve a list of all the test headings. If the test is not found in the thesaurus, enter the name of the test in the search box. The computer will search for any mention of your term. If you retrieve too many citations, do another search on the disease or injury for which the procedure is necessary and then combine your two searches. The limit button will also allow you to narrow your search by language, publication year, human, etc.