Laboratory Flashcards
What is the function of the laboratory?
The primary function of the hospital laboratory is conducting tests that provide crucial information for detecting, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disease.
What is the most commonly used specimen to be tested?
Blood
What specimens can be tested in the laboratory?
- blood
- urine
- saliva
- sputum
- feces
- semen
- other bodily fluids and tissues
Laboratory Director / Pathologist
A medical doctor and/or PhD scientist
Medical Technologist
Performs routine and quality control tests, supervises, teaches and delegates. Many specialize in one particular area, such as in clinical chemistry, immunology, molecular pathology, microbiology, or blood bank technologies.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Performs routine tests in all areas of the clinical lab under the supervision of the medical technologist.
Phlebotomy Technician
Draws blood for laboratory tests using venipuncture or skin puncture.
Laboratory Clerk
Clerical staff who maintain records and reports; have direct contact with all hospital departments and units as well as outpatients
ACCESSIONING
Front line staff responsible for initial contact with outpatients and directing all calls and questions to appropriate persons in the laboratory.
ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY
Concerned with the examination of tissues, the cytological content of body fluids, and fine needle aspiration biopsies. These specimens may be obtained at surgery, in the ER Dept., on the units or in the Morgue.
BIOCHEMISTRY
Provides analysis of blood, urine and body fluids.
HEMATOLOGY
Provides diagnostic tests for the study of diseases related to blood and blood clotting proteins. This includes blood cell counts, microscopic examination, coagulation tests, autoimmune diseases and special studies for the investigation of various anemias, bleeding and clotting disorders.
MICROBIOLOGY
Examines and cultures specimens for microorganisms, to make accurate species identification and to perform antibiotic susceptibility tests when indicted.
TRANSFUSION MEDICINE
Provides patient testing for the purposes of blood groupings, screening for blood antibodies and cross-matching blood components for routine and emergency transfusions. They also perform serological testing for the diagnosis of immune disorders.
Provincial Health Sservices Authority (PHSA)
PHSA is one of six health authorities – the other five health authorities serve geographic regions of B.C. PHSA operates provincial agencies as well as a variety of specialized laboratory services.