Laboratory Services
The SOMC Clinical Laboratory's mission is to provide high-quality, precise and accurate testing in a timely manner. The laboratory provides testing on tissue specimens and biological fluids. This state-of-the-art laboratory provides the very latest cutting edge equipment and highly trained personnel to meet its mission.
Our Laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, the AABB, and CLIA-88 Certification.
Chemistry
The Chemistry Laboratory provides testing of metabolites and enzymes. These analytes help provide diagnosis in many diseases or conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes, kidney diseases, and others.
All of our analyzer systems are interfaced with our laboratory computer systems. Test results are automatically transferred to the patient's electronic laboratory record. Test results are verified by the technician or technologist and immediately printed on the nursing unit where the patient is located.
Hematology
The Hematology Laboratory processes whole blood specimens for cell counting and morphology evaluation. Radio frequency, laser studies and impedance technology identify the white and red blood cells. The identification of these cells helps the physicians in their diagnosis and treatment.
Coagulation studies, medication monitoring, and urinalysis are also performed in this area of the laboratory.
Blood Bank
Blood Bank stores and processes blood for patients needing transfusions. The technician/technologist performs a crossmatch to make sure that the blood the patient receives is compatible, i.e., contains no dangerous proteins that could cause a reaction.
In addition, antibody evaluations to resolve complex blood compatibility problems are performed. Prenatal evaluations and serologic testing are also performed by the Blood Bank technicians.
Anatomic Pathology and Cytology
All tissue specimens sent to the Laboratory have microscopic studies. The tissues are put through a series of chemicals to prepare them for examination by the pathologist. The pathologist examines the stained tissue on a slide and renders a diagnosis. The report is then sent to the physician.
The Cytology Laboratory processes body fluids and pap smears. If the body fluid or pap smear contains abnormal cell types, they can be seen with the aid of a microscope once the cells are stained. The cytotechnologist and pathologist examine the slides and send the reports to the ordering physician.
Microbiology
Patient specimens from all body sites are sent to the Microbiology Laboratory to determine which bacterium, virus or fungus is causing an infectious disease. In many cases, bacteria from the specimens are grown on special media and then identified by biological or serological testing. Antibiotics are tested against infectious bacteria to determine which ones would best treat the infection.
Other studies performed in the Microbiology Laboratory include parasite identification, amplified DNA procedures, enzyme immunoassays, and fluorescent antibody evaluations.
This page last updated on September 30, 2005
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