An approach to the evaluation of hemostasis.

Effective hemostasis may be adequately and quickly evaluated using tests that are readily available in the usual hospital laboratory. This evaluation includes peripheral smear for platelet morphology and number, platelet count, bleeding time, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and clot retraction. Normal results of these tests exclude all but the mildest disturbances of hemostasis.