Clinical Pathology
Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine
Chemistry
The ORHS chemistry laboratories offer more than 200 tests designed to meet the changing needs of the healthcare community. A vast array of routine and esoteric tests are provided, from chemistry profiles to specialized tests for reproductive medicine, oncology, endocrinology and nephrology.
Coagulation
The ORHS hemostasis laboratories are equipped with the most current instrumentation and methodologies to offer the clinician a comprehensive menu of coagulation tests and profiles. Under the medical direction of our hematopathologists, testing is performed by our highly trained staff of coagulation technologists to provide the physician with the most accurate and timely results in the identification and treatment of coagulation abnormalities. Review and interpretation by a pathologist is provided for platelet aggregation studies, platelet function assays, von Willebrand's disease screening, mixing studies, and Protein C and S activity levels.
Flow-Cytometry
Our updated flow cytometry laboratory analyzes specimens 7 days/week, including weekends and holidays. On-call technicians and pathologists are available for stat cases. Specimens received include bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood, body fluids, CSF and tissue. In addition, lymphocyte subset analysis from peripheral blood specimens is performed daily. Turn-around-time for most cases is within 24 hours with urgent or stat cases run the same day. When indicated, results will be called to the ordering physician within several hours of specimen receipt in the laboratory.
Hematology/Urinalysis
The ORHS laboratory staff have extensive experience in the morphologic recognition of hematologic abnormalities as well as abnormal body fluid specimens. The laboratory staff and pathologists work together to provide the highest quality services for our patients. The hematology/urinalysis laboratories are fully automated with the newest instrument prototypes and testing methodologies to provide rapid turn-around-time and cost effective testing. Current screening protocols include:
- Automated differential - manual differentials are performed on all abnormal specimens
- Urinalysis - microscopic examination is performed if urine chemistry is abnormal
- UTI screen - urine cultures are performed for particular abnormal urine chemistries}
Immunology
The Immunology laboratory performs tests for: viral serology (HIV, measles, mumps, varicella, and Epstein-Barr virus), autoimmune diseases (anti-nuclear antibodies "ANA"'s, with subclassification by enzyme immunoassay, and anti-cardiolipin antibodies), syphilis serology, cold agglutinins, and GC/chlamydia by DNA amplification. Confirmatory Western Blots are performed on all positive HIV assays and the subsequent test results are reviewed by a pathologist prior to being reported.
Microbiology
Under the direction of Dr. Anthony Walsh, a clinical microbiologist, and Dr. Raymond Franklin, the department provides the highest quality of service in the areas of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, mycology, and virology. Automated technology is used to continually monitor blood cultures for growth and positive results are reported immediately providing rapid turn-around-time. Immediate notification to clinical personnel is provided by laboratory staff for cases that require urgent attention. Mycobacterium smears are processed and reported daily. The laboratory also provides direct examination of specimens by immunofluorescence staining for adenovirus, herpes simplex, and influenza A and B. Rapid testing is also available for respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, and varicella zoster.