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Clinical Departments

Comprehensive Expertise Across All Disciplines of Lab Medicine

Harnessing the collective expertise of our specialized clinical departments, HNL Lab Medicine's commitment to healthcare excellence spans a broad spectrum of diagnostic and clinical services. Our unwavering dedication to precision, quality, and agility enables us to provide faster turnaround times, so that patients can start treatment sooner.

Anatomic Pathology

Our surgical pathology department is staffed by board-certified, subspecialty trained pathologists who have a depth of experience in their specialty. As a clinician and patient-oriented anatomic pathology laboratory, value is placed on patient care using the latest state-of-the-art technology, as well as providing unmatched service to our clients and their patients. With over 20 pathology specialties, our pathology team is one of the best in the industry. Reinforcing our dedication to staying at the forefront of the field, HNL Lab Medicine is in the process of implementing digital pathology to help improve quality, reduce turnaround time and enable collaboration like never before. 

Learn more: Surgical Pathology   |    Digital Pathology   

Histology, the intricate study of tissues, relies on preservation, microtomy, and staining techniques to create tissue cross-sections for microscopic examination. Our lab's skilled histotechnicians perform routine and specialized staining, including extensive enzyme histochemical studies. Histochemical studies include a comprehensive menu of individual antibodies and tailored diagnostic panels to assist in accurate diagnosis, tumor typing, grading, staging, prognostics, and treatment selection.

The histology department manages all aspects of tissue processing, slide preparation, and staining, blending hands-on expertise with automation. Proficiency in anatomy and tissue structure is essential for our team members.

Cytopathology is the study of cellular materials and uses preservation and staining techniques to view the cells microscopically. A wide variety of patient specimens are handled, including gynecologic, fine-needle aspirations, biopsies, and body fluids such as peritoneal, thoracic, and joint fluids. By utilizing these minimally invasive specimens, we aim to diagnosis faster and connect patients with care sooner.

Dermatopathologists subspecialize in skin and soft tissue pathology, working directly with referring physicians to ensure accurate diagnoses. Our Dermatopathologists have additional molecular board certification, GYN fellowship training, and oncologic pathology fellowships, leading to a comprehensive and deep knowledge base.

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Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The Apheresis & Cellular Therapy department is a specialized clinical unit which focuses on therapeutic procedures designed to collect specific blood components or immune cells, for the treatment, or chronic management of various medical conditions, including leukemias and multiple myeloma.

Our Chemistry department performs some of the most frequently ordered laboratory tests on blood and urine to provide the foundation for diagnosis of nearly all patient care. Tests are wide ranging, and can indicate disease states including heart attacks, kidney and liver failure, infections, diabetes, thyroid conditions, and high cholesterol.

Coagulation tests are used to assess the functionality of a patient’s hemostasis (blood clotting) system. Our Coagulation department routinely performs testing that includes screening for factor deficiencies and monitoring coumadin (warfarin) and heparin therapies.

Flow Cytometry is a laser-based technology that allows for cell counting, cell sorting, protein engineering, and biomarkers detection. This department employs advanced eight-color immunophenotyping to identify cell surface antigens and intracellular proteins in peripheral blood samples, bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, and cell-containing fluids.

Hematological tests focus on diseases of the blood and blood components and help diagnose anemia, infection, hemophilia, blood-clotting disorders, and leukemia. This area of laboratory medicine provides analysis for the diagnosis of disorders in leukocytes (white cells), erythrocytes (red cells), and thrombocytes (platelets), as well as their formation in the bone marrow (hematopoiesis).

Hematopathology is focuses on the diagnosis of diseases and disorders related to the blood and bone marrow. Hematopathologists analyze blood and tissue samples to diagnose various hematological conditions including leukemia, lymphoma, anemias, clotting disorders, and bone marrow diseases. They employ advanced laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry and molecular testing to provide precise diagnoses, which are crucial for guiding treatment decisions and patient care.

The HLA laboratory is responsible for testing kidney and pancreas transplant recipients and their potential donors to determine if they are compatible for transplant. They conduct organ transplant testing such as HLA typing, crossmatching, and antibody screening. Among our team of HLA Laboratory scientists, five technologists have achieved Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS) certification.

Immunology testing focuses on identifying antibodies in the blood and/or serum of a patient’s blood sample. This department performs more than 200 different assays for infectious disease immune status and exposure evaluations, along with autoimmune serologic testing. Immune status evaluations are performed for Measles, Mumps, German Measles, Chickenpox. Exposure evaluations for Syphilis, HIV, Epstein-Barr Virus, Hepatitis A/B/C, and Mycoplasma.

The Microbiology Department specializes in the identification of pathogenic microorganisms using traditional methods of culture and microscopy. The department also employs various molecular methods and/or MALDI-ToF for the detection or identification of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites of clinical concern. 

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is decentralized laboratory testing performed outside the physical constraints of the laboratory in close proximity to the patient.  

Our POCT team performs testing in settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and oncology centers using devices that communicate with a data-management system, so results can be sent directly to the patient’s electronic medical record, eliminating paper and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Our Toxicology department performs drug and alcohol testing - utilizing urine, blood, and oral fluid to analytically determine the presence or absence of drugs and their metabolites. This department performs drug testing following clinical and forensic guidelines and provides quality laboratory services supporting the community and clients in investigations, consultations, and education.

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Transfusion Medicine (Blood Banking) is an area of the clinical laboratory involved in patient testing and selection of safe and optimal blood components for patients requiring transfusion. Transfusion medicine physicians provide clinical consultation, coordinate special transfusion needs of patients, and act as stewards of the precious gift that blood donors in our community provide.  In addition, they provide oversight and manage quality for the blood bank, cellular apheresis, and the cellular therapy laboratory, and provide education regarding best practices.

Genomics

Cytogenetics focuses on the study and analysis of chromosomes, their structure, and their abnormalities in relation to human genetics and diseases. Cytogenetics testing is utilized to detect numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities in metaphase cells. HNL Lab Medicine’s state-of-the-art Cytogenetics laboratory provides the most advanced chromosome analysis for identifying and diagnosing genetic abnormalities.

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The Inherited Genetics department provides testing that enables providers to make faster diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans that lead to better outcomes. In addition to treatment plans, diagnosis of an inherited genetic disorder provides information on recurrence risk (in future generations) and allows for testing of family members. With a special focus on rare disease, prenatal testing, and cardiology testing, our genomics team uses its proprietary analytic methods, mutation database, comprehensive test menu, and technology to provide more than 3,300 unique tests covering over 1,000 genes.

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Our Molecular Oncology division uses molecular testing to identify the genetic abnormalities that drive cancer and allows for targeted therapy and a better understanding of the patient's prognosis. This testing revolutionizes the standard of patient care, changing how diseases are diagnosed and treated. HNL Lab Medicine's Molecular Oncology section utilizes sophisticated molecular techniques, including next-generation sequencing for comprehensive profiling of both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

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Forensic Pathology

Forensic Pathology Associates (FPA) is a division of HNL Lab Medicine that provides forensic autopsy examinations, autopsy examinations for Hospitals and medical centers, Medical Examiner/Coroner Support, second autopsies, personalized private autopsy services, and Consultative Services.

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Phlebotomy

Our pediatric department is a specialized unit of phlebotomy that is dedicated to drawing blood and collecting specimens from infants, children, and adolescents. Our pediatric phlebotomy department has been trained in the development, experiential, and psychological needs of our youngest patients. They are responsible for ensuring the safe and comfortable collection of blood samples from young patients, taking into account their unique needs and potential anxieties.

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Our phlebotomy department consists of over 250 certified phlebotomists that are trained in venipuncture. These phlebotomists manage our patient service centers and work on the front-line with our patients to collect specimens to send back to the laboratory. 

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