The Institute of Biomedical Science

www.ibmscongress.com

A Race against Time for a Life-Saving Diagnosis

Karen Priestley is a Biomedical Scientist specialising in Microbiology working at Clatterbridge Hospital in the Wirral. After completing a BSc in Combined Sciences, Karen undertook voluntary work at Arrowe Park Hospital Pathology and was subsequently employed as a junior Biomedical Scientist (known at the time as a Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer). Karen has worked as a Biomedical Scientist specialising in microbiology for the last 24 years.

Karen chose a career in Biomedical Science as she felt the profession made a difference to patient’s health and incorporated her fascination with science. She describes her work as incredibly varied and fascinating as Microbiology is a constantly evolving science. Karen outlines a typical day in her life as a Biomedical Scientist here:

"I was on a late shift at the weekend working alone in the Microbiology lab. At 6pm a doctor on the ward called to say that a sample of spinal fluid was on its way to the lab. The patient was a 21 year old man, who had been admitted with suspected meningitis. He was very poorly. The doctor on the ward needed me to run urgent tests on the spinal fluid sample to find the cause of the patient’s illness.

When the sample arrived it was very cloudy – I knew from experience that this was abnormal. I examined the fluid under a microscope and found a large number of white blood cells, indicating an infection. I used staining techniques to help identify the causative organism correctly so that the patient could get the right treatment.

It took over an hour of looking down the microscope but finally I found two tiny bacteria. I ran tests to confirm that they were the bacteria that cause Meningococcal Meningitis. I immediately called the doctor in charge and the infection control team.

The patient was given the correct antibiotics and his family and close contacts received rapid treatment to prevent the disease from developing further or spreading to others. The patient made a full recovery and was eventually discharged from the hospital.

I felt incredibly proud to have helped identify the cause of the young man’s life threatening disease, assisting his swift treatment and eventual recovery. Being able to play such an important role in this young man’s diagnosis is part of what makes Biomedical Science such a wonderful profession. Every day is different and presents exciting, new challenges".