Clinical laboratories employ skilled health professionals who routinely perform
tests, analyze results, and interpret and manage data. At the Arkansas Children’s
Hospital Clinical Laboratory, a team of pathologists, medical technologists
and other laboratorians participate in these activities and explore unique and
specialized areas of laboratory medicine to provide state-of-the-art laboratory
testing.
We provide rapid response testing. Routine and STAT laboratory testing is conducted
in the Rapid Response Laboratory where blood bank, chemistry, hematology/coagulation
and select microbiology and virology antigen tests are performed 24 hours each
day of the year. Our Rapid Response Lab is staffed by generalists who are cross-trained
to independently perform testing in more than one area, thus working to create
efficiencies that allow us to provide better service. This operation provides
timely information, essential for diagnosis and treatment as well as creating
the necessary framework for more detailed analysis conducted in other areas
of the laboratory.
Special CoagulationLab
The Special Coagulation Lab provides diagnostic testing for congenital bleeding
disorders and monitors patients with those disorders throughout life.
Cytogenetics Lab
The Cytogenetics Lab utilizes advanced chromosomal analysis of amniotic fluid,
peripheral blood cells, bone marrow cells, and cultured cells of solid tissue
to detect both numerical and structural abnormalities in newborns, children
and adults. These procedures are essential tools for monitoring patients with
genetic abnormalities, leukemia or lymphoma.
Histology Lab
The Histology Lab prepares surgical/autopsy tissues for microscopic diagnosis
using routine, special, and immunoperoxidase stains.
Special ImmunologyLab
The Special Immunology Lab evaluates all degrees of functional immunodeficiency
states of the adult and pediatric patient. Some of the available analyses include
leukocyte subset quantitation, flow cytometry, reactivity of circulating lymphocytes
to mitogenic stimulators and specific antigens, neutrophil function studies
and antibody response to protein and carbohydrate antigen.
Metabolic and Special Chemistry Lab
The Metabolic and Special Chemistry Lab performs biochemical tests to identify
rare diseases caused by genetic defects or "inborn errors" of metabolism.
These tests are designed to detect compounds, such as amino acids and organic
acids, which build up in excess amounts because they cannot be further transformed.
Advanced instrumentation such as atomic absorption, HPLC, and GC/FIDare used
to analyze therapeutic drug, trace metal and toxic chemical levels. Additionally,
analyses are performed for enzyme deficiencies that can cause both chronic and
episodic illness.
Microbiology Lab
Our Microbiology Lab performs routine analysis of specimens submitted for detection
of bacteria, fungus and parasites as well as critical information used by physicians
to determine appropriate therapy. Technological developments in the field of
Microbiology now make it possible to detect pathogenic infections far more rapidly
than in the past. For example, state-of-the-art technology used for blood cultures
can provide evidence of infection within hours of collection rather than days.
Molecular Diagnostics Lab
The Molecular Diagnostics Lab performs a variety of polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) assays for detection of the DNA or RNA specific to individual pathogens.
PCR detection of infectious agents is considered to be the most sensitive and
specific means of detection for infectious agents, and can reduce detection
time from days to hours.
Pediatric Pathology Department
The Pediatric Pathology Department at Arkansas Children’s Hospital includes
anatomical and clinical services featuring the most up-to-date methodologies
and instrumentation, administered by highly skilled clinical laboratory scientists.
The laboratories are open 24 hours every day of the year. The services employ
a variety of skilled staff including five pediatric pathologists, a PhD cytogeneticist,
degreed medical technologists and transcription personnel.
Anatomic Pathology
Surgical Pathology
Cytogenetics (chromosome analysis)
Autopsy Pathology
Electron Microscopy
Clinical Pathology
Clinical Chemistry
Microbiology-Virology
Hematology
Metabolic Defects
Flow cytometry
Blood Bank
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Molecular Diagnostics
Blood Bank
The Blood Bank provides transfusion support and performs routine and specialized
serology and component preparation for pediatric populations. Blood bank personnel
in the operating room carry out cell saver autotransfusion procedures. Infectious
disease testing is provided for routine detection of HIV and Hepatitis and for
pre-transplant work-ups. The hematopoietic progenitor cell laboratory supports
bone marrow transplant patients by performing procedures for processing, storage
and distribution of stem cell and bone marrow harvests. Most recently, Transfusion
Medicine has taken on the Donor center for collection of heparanized whole blood
for neonatal heart surgery.
Virology Lab
The Virology Lab uses state-of-the-art technology to isolate and identify viral
and Chlamydial pathogens. Using traditional culture methods, specimens are examined
over a period of time to detect any viral pathogens that might be present. Newer
rapid methodologies for detection of antigens provide results within a time
frame that allows physicians to make meaningful patient management and therapy
decisions. As an adjunct to virus detection, Virology also evaluates the body’s
immune response to infection by measuring a variety of abnormal antibody responses,
including allergen antibody determinations (RAST testing).
