Explore Lab Services & Blood DrawLaboratory Medicine
The role of laboratory medicine is essential to every level of patient care. Through laboratory testing, we study the function of many organs and test for various inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer. Laboratory testing is necessary for correct diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring, making it essential to clinical decision-making. Safety and quality control are what we do every day, every hour. With UConn Health, we curate an environment to ensure patients feel confident in their safety and control the scheduling process.
Our Clinical Laboratory at UConn John Dempsey Hospital offers a comprehensive test menu and a full range of services, including several specialty services. We provide clinical laboratory services to the UConn Health community in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Laboratory Medicine Services
Core Laboratory
At our Clinical Core Laboratory, we perform advanced testing of serum, plasma, urine, spinal fluid, and other body fluid samples continuously for 24 hours. We undergo rigorous accreditation processes and meet federal guidelines for CAP Accreditation. The laboratory features high-throughput chemistry, immunochemistry, and hematology analyzers that deliver critical test results quickly.
We also provide the following services:
- Special chemistry
Special chemistry analyses involve testing unusual samples, atypical processing procedures, complex testing methods, multiplexed analyses, and tests requiring complex interpretation, such as protein electrophoresis and immunofixation, heavy metal analysis, biochemical genetics, and many others. - Hematopathology
Through conventional microscopy, flow cytometry immunophenotyping, and DNA-based molecular genotyping, we interpret and diagnose numerous hematologic disorders accurately. - Cystic fibrosis
This laboratory’s advanced testing can detect cystic fibrosis in infants within two weeks following birth. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the length and quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Microbiology/Serology
Our full-service microbiology laboratory performs conventional, serological, and molecular diagnostic testing in bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology. Testing includes the detection and identification of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and assessment of host responses to microorganisms.
We routinely collaborate with the Infectious Diseases division, the Infection Prevention and Epidemiology team, the Antibiotic Stewardship Program, and the Department of Pharmacy.
Blood Bank
Our Blood Bank is a full-service laboratory that performs blood sample testing and transfusions. It provides blood components for a diverse population of patients, including the UConn Health Surgery Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Adult Ambulatory Clinic, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, New England Sickle Cell Institute, and the general inpatient population.
Blood Draw/Phlebotomy
Blood drawing, also known as phlebotomy, is a routine practice in all our laboratories. Our experienced staff is well-equipped to take blood samples and minimize discomfort. By analyzing the blood components, we can get insight into numerous health problems of distant organ systems. The most common blood tests include:
- Complete blood count, also called a CBC
- Blood chemistry tests
- Blood enzyme tests
- Blood tests for heart disease risk
The results of blood tests are available electronically as soon as the work is completed and reviewed.