Laboratory Testing

The laboratory may provide the first clues to a major disease process. This the area within the laboratory where your blood, urine, and sputum are taken for interpretation. It is here where your cholesterol levels are determined and where your blood smear indicates a new infection. Take time to wander through the various departments of the laboratory. For an introduction, to the clinical laboratory, check out this guide.

Introduction to Laboratory Testing

How Accurate are Lab Tests?

We are often asked How accurate are the lab results? Can I trust my life with these results? Much of the daily work of the pathologist and medical technologists is spent assuring that your results are accurate and precise..

SPECIALTIES

Blood Gases

Clinical Chemistry

Coagulation (Disorders of blood clotting)

Hematology (CBC, Spleen, Lymph Nodes, Bone Marrow)

Immunology (Cytokines, T and B cells)

Microbiology and Infectious Disease

Molecular Biology (Western Blot, DNA testing)

Serology

Transfusion Medicine (Blood Banking)

Urinalysis (Examination of Urine)

Commonly Used Terms

Basic Principles of Disease
Learn the basic disease classifications of cancers, infections, and inflammation

Commonly Used Terms
This is a glossary of terms often found in a pathology report.

Diagnostic Process
Learn how a pathologist makes a diagnosis using a microscope

Surgical Pathology Report
Examine an actual biopsy report to understand what each section means

Special Stains
Understand the tools the pathologist utilizes to aid in the diagnosis

How Accurate is My Report?
Pathologists actively oversee every area of the laboratory to ensure your report is accurate

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