Drawing blood, saving lives

by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker,
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Senior Airman Rocco Girone, 86th Medical Squadron Medical Laboratory technician, draws blood from a patient Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. 86th MDS Medical Laboratory technicians test body fluids such as blood and urine, as well as throat swabs, and record normal and abnormal findings to aid the patient’s medical provider in determining a diagnosis.
Staff Sgt. Andrea Vasquez, 86th Medical Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of hematology, observes a pregnancy test Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. The 86th MDS Medical Laboratory tests body fluids for a variety of factors, including pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease and yeast infection.
Staff Sgt. Andrea Vasquez, 86th Medical Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of hematology, demonstrates placing vials in a centrifuge for blood analysis Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. The centrifuge spins to separate blood so technicians can examine it for indicators such as cholesterol levels, liver enzymes and electrolytes.
Senior Airman Steven Carter, 86th Medical Squadron Medical Laboratory technician, observes a blood slide under a microscope Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base.
Senior Airman Steven Carter, 86th Medical Squadron Medical Laboratory technician, places a slide under a microscope Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. 86th MDS Medical Laboratory tests body fluids to help medical providers reach a diagnosis. The lab gives Ramstein personnel and families convenient, on-base access to medical care and helps maintain a healthy base population.