There are various specialized areas within a clinical laboratory, also known as a clinical pathology lab. This is where human biological samples are analyzed, contributing to up to 70% of the clinical decisions doctors make when reaching a diagnosis and personalizing patient treatment.
Areas of a Clinical LaboratoryGiven the wide range of tests and services offered, each area of a clinical laboratory follows specific methodologies suited to the samples being analyzed, ensuring quality, safety, and reliable, timely results.
What Are the Different Areas of a Clinical Laboratory?Dr. Daniel Aguirre Chavarría, lab director and clinical pathologist at ABC Medical Center, explains that clinical laboratory areas are generally organized based on the type of sample or equipment involved.
While there can be some variation between labs, the following areas are commonly found:
- Sample collection: where the sample or specimen to be analyzed is collected; this can include any bodily fluid or tissue.
- Pre-analytical: assesses the quality of the sample using specific acceptability criteria, followed by a preparation process.
- Hematology and coagulation: measures blood cell counts and morphology. This area also identifies cell maturity issues linked to blood disorders and evaluates clotting times and the mechanisms that can disrupt them.
- Clinical chemistry and toxicology: identifies chemical substances and measures their concentrations in blood or other body fluids; also detects therapeutic drug levels or substances of abuse.
- Immunology: evaluates the presence of antibodies against infectious or non-infectious agents and assesses immune system function as well as the presence of autoimmune diseases.
- Special immunochemistry: studies the function and interaction of specific proteins or antigens, as well as immune system mechanisms at the molecular level.
- Microbiology: identifies microorganisms to help pinpoint the source of an infection.
- Molecular biology: uses molecular techniques to identify disease-causing microorganisms by detecting genetic material and its variations.
- Cytogenetics: a specialized field focused on chromosomal analysis to detect genetic disorders caused by mutations or abnormalities, including cancer risk factors.
- Special laboratory tests: specialized tests used for preventive diagnosis to help guide better treatment, including breath tests or newborn screening.
- Reference laboratory: handles tests that aren’t performed in-house by sending samples to another laboratory that follows the same quality and safety standards.
Some of Our Lab Areas: Serology and HematologyAmong the most frequently requested tests are serology and hematology, but what exactly do each of these involve?
What Is Serology?Serology is a test in which blood cells are removed, leaving only the serum. Serum is the most commonly used substance in the lab for analyzing components suspended within it, including chemistry, immunology, and immunochemistry testing, helping determine the immune system’s response to vaccines or to infection by external pathogens.
What Is Hematology?Hematology is the study of blood and its disorders, helping identify cancers, anemia, clotting deficiencies, or bleeding disorders. To do this, a blood sample is collected and mixed with an anticoagulant, allowing evaluation of blood cells using biochemical methods that help identify functional abnormalities in platelets.
How Does the Reception Area of a Clinical Laboratory Work?The reception area of a clinical laboratory is the first point of contact between a patient and the lab. Here, lab test requests are processed, and patients receive guidance on any conditions or requirements they need to meet, as well as instructions for collecting certain samples at home.
The reception area is also where processing times are communicated and where administrative paperwork is handled before the sample is collected, notes Dr. Aguirre.
The patient is then taken to a private cubicle. These spaces are designed to accommodate one or more sample collections, depending on the type of test needed.
Each cubicle is equipped with visual and audio safety alert devices in case of an emergency, a reclining chair to ensure patient safety during sample collection, and medical assistance is available if needed.
Before collecting the sample, staff will greet the patient, introduce themselves, and explain the procedure. Staff use new gloves with each patient and show that all equipment used is new, sterile, and single-use.
After the sample is collected, all samples are shown to the patient, properly labeled with their full name and date of birth. All materials and equipment used are disposed of according to specific protocols, and the patient is given any follow-up instructions specific to their particular sample before leaving.
To maintain a safe environment, the area is cleaned three times a day, with a thorough deep clean performed once a week, to minimize the presence of microorganisms in the cubicles.
At ABC Medical Center’s Clinical Laboratory, we can provide you with specialized care. Learn more about the different areas of a clinical laboratory. Contact us!
