Final answer:
Provider Performed Microscopy Procedures (PPMP) involve laboratory tests that require direct provider involvement, such as performing a Gram stain or a Pap smear. These procedures are done using various microscopy techniques to prepare and examine specimens for diagnosing infections or identifying abnormal cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Provider Performed Microscopy Procedure (PPMP)
The Provider Performed Microscopy Procedure (PPMP) is a category of laboratory testing that requires the skill and expertise of a licensed provider with a certain level of clinical training, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant, to perform specific microscopic examinations. In the context of a clinical microbiology laboratory, essential skills involve the ability to properly prepare and view specimens for examination using microscopy techniques such as bright field and phase contrast microscopy.
One common example of a PPMP is the Gram stain, which is used to classify bacteria and can give clues about the cause of a patient's infection. After staining, the specimen is observed under a brightfield microscope and the morphology, arrangement, and color of the cells help in identifying the microorganism.
Another example is the Pap smear, a test conducted by a cytotechnologist to look for abnormal cells or microbial infections in cervical tissue samples. The process of preparing the sample, staining it, and using a light microscope with an oil immersion objective for detailed analysis of the cells is a part of PPMP. These procedures often include an initial scan to evaluate the appearance of red blood cells and platelets, followed by a more detailed examination of the white blood cell populations.