LABORATORY DEPARTMENTS

Summary of Laboratory Departments, Common Tests Performed, and Specimen Types: 

Types of Laboratory Department: with definition 

Approx 9 type are present

1) Specimen Processing:   

● Incoming specimens sorted

● Specimens accessioned into computer system

● Specimens labeled and prepared for testing in separate department .

Specimen Types:- All.

2) Hematology : 

● Complete blood count

● Hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements

● Coagulation studies

● Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

● Differential white blood cell count

● Platelet counts

☆Specimen Types:- Whole blood .

3) Clinical Chemistry :  

● Electrolytes

● Glucose

● Blood urea nitrogen

● Creatinine

● Thyroid testing

● Cardiac enzyme testing

● Comprehensive metabolic panel

● Cholesterol/lipid testing

● Many automated chemistry tests and panels

☆ Specimen Types;- Serum, plasma,

urine, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid.

4) Serology and Immunohematology :   

¤ Various tests looking for antigens and/or antibodies such as:

● RPR

● Mononucleosis testing

● HIV tests

● Chlamydia testing

● Antistreptolysin O test

● Pregnancy testing

● C-reactive protein

● ABO/Rh blood typing

● Antibody screens and crossmatches for transfusions

● Newborn testing

● Prenatal testing

☆ Specimen Types :- Serum, plasma,

whole blood .

5) Urinalysis : 

● Physical appearance of urine

● Urine chemical analysis

● Microscopic urine analysis

☆Specimen Types :- urine.

6) Microbiology/Parasitology :

● Identification of pathogenic microorganisms

● Streptococcal screens

● Antibiotic sensitivity testing

☆ Specimen Types :- Blood, urine, wound

specimens, tissue,stool, cerebrospinal

fluid, sputum, urethral and vaginal

discharge, nails,skin scrapings.

7) Cytology : 

● Examination of various specimens for abnormal cells Chromosomal studies

Pap smears .

☆ Specimen Types :-  Urine, skin, tissue

specimens, sputum .

8) Coagulation : 

● Testing for presence or absence of adequate clotting factors

☆ Specimen Types:- Whole blood.

9) Histology/Pathology : 

● Examination for abnormal form and structure in tissues

☆ Specimen Types:Tissue/organs,

biopsy specimens from various parts

of the body, preserved and fresh

specimens examined .

1) • Specimen Processing: The area of the laboratory where all incoming specimens are sorted, accessioned into the computer system of the laboratory, and appropriately labeled for transport to their respective

departments for testing. The specimen processing department may also prepare specimens for transport to reference laboratories.

2) • Hematology: Whole blood testing, which focuses on the formed elements (the blood cells) in the blood.Coagulation testing is also performed in this department.

3) • Clinical Chemistry: Testing performed on plasma or serum (the liquid portion of the blood) and includes analysis of the substances dissolved in the bloodstream. Most testing is automated, and many of the tests are performed as panels or groups of tests.

4) • Serology/Immunohematology: Testing that focuses primarily on the presence of antigens or antibodies  on cells or in the liquid portion of the blood. Blood typing and antibody screens and crossmatches for transfusions may also be performed in this department.

5) • Urinalysis: The physical appearance of urine is assessed, and urine chemical and microscopic analysis is performed.

6) • Microbiology/Parasitology: Identification of pathogenic microorganisms and antibiotic sensitivity testing.

7) • Cytology: Examination of various specimens for abnormal cells, chromosomal studies, Pap smears.

8) • Coagulation: Specimens testing for the presence of various clotting factors.

9) • Histology/Pathology: Tissue samples examined for abnormal function and form.

THE CLINICAL LABORATORY

THE CLINICAL LABORATORY

Definition: A clinical laboratory is any place where specimens from the human body may be collected, processed, examined, or analyzed.

Types of Clinical Laboratory:   

1) Physician office laboratories (POLs).

2) Hospital laboratory

3) Reference laboratory

1)Definition: Physician office laboratories (POLs) are clinical laborato-ries within physician offices where laboratory testing is 

carried out on specimens obtained from the practices’ own patients. 

2) Definition: Hospital laboratories generally offer laboratory testing that meets the needs of their respective institution.For instance, if a hospital specializes in a certain type

of surgical procedure or treatment, the hospital laboratory will offer extensive testing in that specialty area,in addition to the standard tests required to monitor

the health of the other patients in the hospital.

3) Definition: Reference laboratories perform more tests annually than either POLs or the hospital laboratories, processing perhaps thousands of specimens per day. These tests include those that are performed at hospital laboratories,but reference laboratories may offer specialized testing that is not performed at either hospital laboratories or POLs. Specimens may be sent to a reference laboratory from all over the country.

Test performed in different clinical laboratory Explained  :

1) Physician office laboratories (POLs) : These ambulatory (outpatient) laboratories

generally perform low complexity tests that are designated as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment–waived (CLIA-waived) tests by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

☆ These tests may include the following:

• Rapid microbiology testing for the presence of group A Streptococcus and influenza

• Urine analysis

• Pregnancy testing

• Tests such as those for mononucleosis, Helicobacter pylori, and HIV

• Coagulation testing to monitor patients who are taking anticoagulants

• Glucose levels and other tests used to monitor diabetic patients

• Fecal occult blood tests for the presence of blood in the stool

• Cholesterol testing .

2) Hospital Laboratories : 

☆ Tests performed at a hospital laboratory may include the following:

• Electrolytes

• Kidney function tests

• Liver function analysis

• Blood typing and crossmatches for transfusions

• Identification of microorganisms and antibiotic sensitivity testing.

• Urine analysis

• Coagulation testing

• Cardiac enzyme assays

• Complete blood counts (CBCs) and other hematology testing Hospital laboratories may also offer another method for testing samples, called point-of-care testing

(POCT). Point-of-care tests are actually performed at the patient’s bedside rather than in the laboratory, using a portable instrument that gives immediate results.

3) Reference laboratories : 

   ☆ CLIA-waived tests Moderate- and high-complexity tests . Microscopic examinations.