Laboratory: Services
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What services does the Laboratory provide?
The following are some key clinical areas in Eastern’s Department of Laboratory Services:
Pathology
Pathology is the study of the origin and nature of disease. Pathologists are medical doctors who examine tissue samples and look for abnormal or malignant cells under a microscope to observe levels of certain chemicals in the body, such as hormones and enzymes.
Pathologists analyze laboratory tests to help diagnose a condition, determine a treatment plan, monitor treatment, or determine the next steps in a treatment plan. Thus, pathology covers a wide range of laboratory functions and plays an important role in cancer diagnosis and staging. The Department of Laboratory Services coordinates pathology tests with Drexel University College of Medicine.
- Hematology: The study of blood and blood-related disorders. Hematologists look specifically at blood components, such as blood count, blood cells, and bone marrow cells. Hematological tests can help diagnose conditions like anemia, hemophilia, blood-clotting disorders, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
- Complete Blood Count (or CBC): A common test used to measure the amount of various types of blood cells in a peripheral blood sample. A CBC can include white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count, differential blood count, hematocrit red blood cell volume (HCT), and hemoglobin concentration (HB). A CBC can be used to help diagnose anemia and certain blood cancers, and to monitor blood loss and infection.
- Coagulation Tests: Tests used to measure platelet function, coagulability, and clotting ability to help diagnose and/or to monitor bleeding and clotting disorders, as well as anticoagulation (anti-clotting) therapies (e.g., heparin therapy). Bleeding and clotting disorders can result from cancers such as liver disease, or as a side effect of certain medications.
- Urinanalysis (UA) Test: A test that determines the content of the urine to help diagnose infections (e.g., of the kidney, bladder) and disease. It includes examination of color, pH level, red and white blood cells, bacteria, and other substances, and chemical analysis of blood, proteins, glucose, and other substances.
- Chemistry & Special Chemistry: This group of tests uses chemical processes to measure levels of chemical components in the blood or urine to help evaluate a patient’s general health status. Some components include blood glucose (sugar), electrolytes, enzymes (e.g., creatinine kinase), lipids (e.g., cholesterol), proteins (e.g., albumin, globulins), horomones (e.g., cortisol), and other metabolic substances (e.g., uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, or BUN). Some special chemistry tests deal primarily with tests for thyroid function, vitamin B12 and folate, and tumor markers.
- Tumor Marker Tests: Tumor markers are substances found in the blood, body fluids, or tissues that are produced by cancer cells. Tumor markers can be used to detect the presence of certain types of cancer in the body, as well as to monitor treatment progress. Some examples of tumor markers include: CA 125 (in ovarian cancer), CA 15-3 (in breast cancer), and PSA (in prostate cancer).
Blood Bank/Transfusion Services: The blood bank deals with transfusions. When blood is donated, the Laboratory performs a certain set of standard tests, including typing the blood for compatibility, screening for infectious diseases, and testing for antibodies. Each unit of blood is broken down into components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Our medical technologists ensure that the donated blood and blood products are safe and compatible.
Microbiology: The study of disease-causing microorganisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Microorganisms can include bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Microbiology tests help to identify infectious agents in the blood, stool, urine, sputum (mucous from the lungs), cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids. The Laboratory sends microbiology tests to a reference lab (e.g., Quest Diagnostics), where the infectious agents are tested and the results are sent back via an automated computer system.