In the clinical laboratory, tests are performed on various specimens, including blood, body fluids, cultures, and more. Results are then reported to the ordering clinician.
Commonly requested tests are performed in-house, while less commonly requested tests may be sent to a reference laboratory.
The clinical laboratory can be divided into various departments, each staffed by medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and medical laboratory technicians (MLT). MLSs and MLTs are trained to perform specific tests and to operate and monitor automated instruments within their department(s). Each department is overseen by a qualified supervisor or a lead MLS/MLT.
Departments within the clinical laboratory include data management, specimen collection and processing, hematology and coagulation, chemistry, immunology and serology, transfusion services, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics. In all of these departments, specialized automated instruments ensure analysis quality and deliver results to the patient's electronic medical record (EMR).
