Clinical Pathology
Core Laboratory
The Core Laboratory provides rapid response services available 24 hours a day for routine chemistry, urine and fluid analysis, hematology, coagulation, and blood gases. Most testing is completed within one hour of receipt of specimens in the Core Laboratory. The laboratory uses direct tube sampling from micro-collection blood tubes for many of its tests, minimizing the amount of blood collected from the patient and allowing the use of finger or heel stick specimens rather than venipuncture samples.
Complex testing, including the areas of special hematology, blood lead testing, sweat chloride and breath hydrogen analysis, as well as comprehensive coagulation studies are available as routine procedures.
Special Chemistry and Endocrinology
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and toxicology testing is available 24/7, using immunoassays for quantitative levels of many therapeutic drugs and qualitative screening for drugs of abuse. . Routine thyroid testing as well as more specialized testing for other hormones like insulin, growth hormone, FSH & LH are available on a routine basis. .
Metabolic Chemistry
The Metabolic Chemistry Laboratory provides testing for inborn errors of metabolism using established methods, including HPLC, Anion-Exchange Column Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
Special Hematology
The Special Hematology and Coagulation lab provide in depth testing ranging from factor assays and hemoglobin electrophoresis to platelet aggregation studies. Our team of technologist and pathologist work closely together to ensure a complete evaluation and interpretation for our patients. This close team work has led to multiple new variants of hemoglobin discoveries within our lab.
Flow Cytometry
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory provides patients with excellent clinical service while proactively supporting physicians in their care. Our flow cytometry instruments allow for real-time identification and quantification of up to 10 different surface antigens on hundreds to thousands of individual cells per second followed by immediate on-site analysis by our pathologists and technical team. This comprehensive, integrated approach results in the expedient and sensitive detection, identification, and quantification of abnormal cell populations at diagnosis as well as in the assessment of residual or persistent disease involvement following therapy.
Clinical Microbiology and Immunoserology
Microbiology
The Microbiology section of the Clinical Microbiology and Immunoserology Laboratory is a full service microbiology laboratory, specializing in pediatric microbiology. The Microbiology Laboratory performs a number of tests to support the diagnosis of infectious disease using traditional techniques as well as multiplex PCR technology to rapidly identify blood, respiratory, stool, and CSF sample pathogens. Our services include aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, antigen/toxin detection, and susceptibility testing.
Immunoserology
The Immunoserology Laboratory provides diagnostic testing for Celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, IgE specific allergens, Quantiferon and Procalcitonin testing as well as quantification of circulating antibodies and other humoral immunology testing.
Virology
The Viral Diagnostic Laboratory employs both new and classic methods providing comprehensive viral isolation and identification, detection of viral antigens and determination of viral antibody status from clinical samples.
Molecular Microbiology
The Diagnostic Molecular Microbiology Laboratory has developed and clinically validated PCR-based microbial and viral nucleic acid detection assays for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. We are committed to the continued review and evaluation of lab developed as well as commercially available assays for clinical utility and potential implementation.
Transfusion Services
The Transfusion Service is responsible for the procurement, processing, and distribution of all blood products given to our patients. We establish and maintain an adequate inventory of red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate to meet our patients’ needs. All of our blood products are obtained from the American Red Cross (ARC) from volunteer blood donors. One donation of whole blood can benefit up to three patients by the separation of the blood into red cells, platelet concentrates and plasma. We can further split these units into aliquots to be used for multiple pediatric and neonatal patients, allowing us to use get the maximum use out of each unit.
We are trained and competent to perform any testing needed to prepare compatible products for our patients. We do Blood Typing (ABO and RH) on all specimens, and antibody screening and compatibility testing on all patients greater than 4 months that need blood. We perform any workup necessary to identify antibodies and the cause of a positive Direct Coombs (DAT), including advanced testing such as elutions or antibody titers. We can do every facet of Blood Banking and are proud to be able to offer all of these services to our patients.
Off-Site Laboratories
Our off-site Laboratory Service Centers perform blood collection at more than twenty sites throughout the state of Ohio. Full service laboratories can be found at each of Nationwide Children’s offsite urgent care centers and emergency departments, allowing for samples to be collected, processed, and tested at the same location. Our ability to provide direct customer care leads to faster turn-around-times, while retaining full access to specialty testing performed at our main campus laboratory.
Testing at our full service labs includes routine chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis, in addition to rapid antigen testing for influenza, RSV, and Group A strep. Our laboratory instrumentation has been selected to provide accurate and timely results on minimal specimen volumes. This allows us greater options for blood collection, such as finger and heel sticks, which means a less traumatic experience for our pediatric patient population.