Approximately 125 people comprise the staff of the Laboratory, performing over one million diagnostic tests annually and interacting with nursing units and other departments throughout the hospital daily. While using innovative technology, this dedicated staff works together to provide quality patient care in an efficient manner. The Laboratory serves its clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CYTOLOGY
Cytology is the science of the formation, structure and function of cells. The cytology division microscopically examines tissue cells from cervical specimens and from non genital fluids, aspirations, and washings. Cells are classified as to their normal or abnormal appearance. A test example is a pap smear. The most up-to-date collection methodology is the “thin prep.”

HISTOLOGY/PATHOLOGY
Tissue is received from physicians’ offices or from surgery. After initial examination of the specimen, selected portions are processed, cut into microscopically thin sections, mounted on glass slides, and stained. The sections are then examined and a diagnosis made. A test example is a skin biopsy.

BLOOD BANK
Blood cells are typed according to their chemical nature, and the fluid portion of the blood can be analyzed to determine what antibodies to blood cells are present. This information is critical in the care and treatment of patients who, for many different reasons, may need to receive a transfusion of whole blood, or some other blood component, such as plasma or platelets. A test example is a crossmatch.

CHEMISTRY
The fluid portion of blood contains many chemicals. Some are not normally there except in illness or abuse. Others are normally there, but may be there in decreased or increased amounts in illness. Some are drugs whose action needs to be monitored for proper therapy. The chemistry division analyzes samples with very sophisticated, automated instruments. A test example is a glucose.

HEMATOLOGY
This division specializes in both red and white blood cell normality and abnormality and in the coagulation process. Many illnesses are diagnosed based on blood cell quantitation, stage of development, and abnormal structural findings. Coagulation is important in heart disease, and the monitoring of anticoagulant therapy. A test example is a CBC.

MICROBIOLOGY
The human body comes into contact with many microorganisms. Some live normally on or within the body without causing any harm. Other organisms are incompatible with health and life. Microbiology identifies such organisms and tests them against antibiotics to determine which drug will combat a particular infection. A test example is a throat culture.

URINALYSIS
The testing done in this division combines chemical analysis of the urine fluid and microscopic analysis for cellular components and crystals. A good “urinalysis” can tell the physician many things about the different organs and systems in the body, including kidney damage and infectious processes.

PHLEBOTOMY
When a blood sample is required for analysis, regardless of the patient’s age, a request is sent to the Laboratory and the phlebotomy division will collect the sample. Younger patients are collected by a capillary puncture to either the finger or heel. Other patients will have their sample collected by venipuncture. This division also performs the bleeding time test.

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING LABORATORY
The Laboratory in the Professional Office Building (POB) serves as a collection station for samples from outpatients who have Laboratory orders from their physician. Sometimes physician’s office staff may deliver a sample collected in the office. Any outpatient from any physician’s office may come here for collection as an alternative to going to the hospital. Patients are registered and their samples are delivered by the staff the the Palmetto Baptist Laboratory for analysis.

FRONT DESK/WORD PROCESSING
These divisions support the technical work of the lab in many ways. Outpatients and visitors are processed and/or assisted. Telephone communication is received and routed. Pathology results are keyed, distributed, and filed. All incoming tissue specimens are researched for previous pathology reports. All procedure and other operational manuals for the entire lab are keyed and maintained.