January's Department of the Month:Laboratory
At Uvalde Memorial Hospital, our job is patient care, and we take that job seriously. On this page, you will find information we feel is important for our patients to know about our selected Department of the Month.
Meet some of the lab team!
Top row (left to right): Kristen Dreyer, Elva Sorola, Blanca Flores Gomez, Maria E. Arredondo, Silvia Patino, Benito Diaz, Emma Cervantes, Leah Dungo, Silvia Garza, and Mary Ann Sevilla.
Bottom row (left to right): Christy Solis, Enrique Iturbe, and Dulce Saludez.
(Photo courtesy of Gloria Resma at Uvalde Leader-News)
Question: What are the lab's operating hours?
Answer: The lab is open from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call (830) 278-6251 ext. 1140 for more information.
Question: What services does the lab offer?
Answer: Here is a detailed list of services and an explanation of the purpose of the service.
Ø Immunohematolgy (Blood Bank) – This service determines the patient’s blood type for OB patients, and blood transfusion for patients needing blood units, platelets, cryoprecipitate and/or fresh frozen plasma (treatment for anemias, large blood loss, etc.).
Ø Blood pH and Gases – This service analyzes the patient’s arterial blood (oxygenated blood) which determines the concentration of oxygen, pH and carbon dioxide. In addition, a carboxyhemoglobin which determines the concentration of carbon monoxide. These special testing helps our physicians determine the best type if care for our patients.
Ø Clinical Chemistry (general chemistry) – This service basically covers from complete metabolic panels which tests the status of the kidneys, heart, diabetes, patient salt content, drugs of abuse, hemoglobin A1c, lipid profiles, liver, iron profile, therapeutic drugs (Vancomycin, gentamycin, digoxin, dilantin and valproic acid), Urine chemistry, and body fluids.
Ø Diagnostic Immunology (Special Chemistry) – This service is to determine heart enzymes (heart attacks), BHCG (the stage of an unborn child), anemia (vitamin B12/folate), hepatitis profile (Hep A,B,C), CEA, PSA (cancer antigens), HIV 1&2, and thyroid (tsh/ft4).
Ø Diagnostic Serology – This service screens for flu type a or b, hcg (pregnancy testing), mono (kissing disease infectious mononucleosis), rpr (screens for syphilis) , rheumatoid factor (arthritis) , rubella (chicken pox), rsv (virus of a child), strep a (strep throat), fetal fironectin (FFN determines if the water sac broke), Clo Test (assess surgical biopsy of the stomach for helicobacter pylori which causes ulcers) and parasites.
Ø Hematology – This service performs a complete blood count (CBC) which helps physicians determine if a patient is anemic (chronic and acute bleeding and lack of production of RBC, cancer of the blood (lymphoma, leukemia), bacterial/viral infections, etc.
Ø Coagulation – This service performs protime (coumadin therapy), partial thrombin time (heparin therapy, and screens for other coagulation deficiency processes that may occur), DDimer (deep vein thrombosis e.g. clot in the large vein of a patient’s leg).
Ø Urinalysis (UA) – This service analyzes the chemistry and sediment of urine. It helps determine urinary track infections, kidney disease states, crystal, parasites (trichomonas), etc.
Ø Microbiology – Culture wounds, fluids, stool, urine and basically every part of the human body you could think of. This service determines the type of the organism present and provides a list of antibiotics which will and will not kill the bacteria. Helps physicians determine the right antibiotic which is causing the infection.
Ø Department of Transportation (DOT) – Currently, we are offering this service under contract basis only (urine collection/processing and breath alcohol testing).
Ø Phlebotomy Services – This service is performed by a highly trained individual and involves collecting both venous & arterial blood on patients. Special therapeutic phlebotomy services on patients who over produce blood (e.g. polycythemia vera).
Ø Frozen Sections – A pathologist reviews certain tissues (breast, colon biopsy) to determine if patient has cancer. Pathologist is in close collaboration with surgeon.
Question: Does the lab have any new technologies or any new technology in the works?
Answer: Yes, the lab is currrently working on implementing
two new technologies designed to make a patient's visit more efficient.
Here is an overview of them:
Ø Recently Acquired Technology: Sysmex XE5000 Analyer – Detecting Immature Granulocytes (IG), Retic Hemoglobin content (RET), Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF), and Automated Body Fluid Cell counts.
Ø New Technology in the Works: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Provue System - This system will bring automation to our Blood Bank services (blood typing, antibody identification). In other words, it will improve turn around time and allow our Medical Technologists to concentrate on other STAT tests to ultimately improve patient care.
Question: What patient safety measures does the lab department take?Answer: At Uvalde Memorial Hospital, patient safety is our number one priority. Here are three examples of measures the lab implements to assure patient safety:
Ø Use of Patient Identifiers - When you visit our Phlebotomy Team, we are asking you (patient) recite your first and last name and date of birth. For your safety, our Phlebotomist will make sure that the right person is being treated or service accordingly.
Ø Specimen Labeling – For your safety, our Phlebotomy Team will label your specimens in front of you prior to taking the specimens for testing.
Ø Handwashing or use of Alcohol Gels - Prior to colleting specimen and after collecting specimens, the Phlebotomist will wash or sanitize their hands.
Question: What does the lab do to improve patient satisfaction?
Answer: The lab's goals are to provide excellent customer service and to be the lab of choice for patients and physicians alike.
Ø Emergency Room (ER) Task Force Team - The Laboratory department has provided a Phlebotomist to reside in the ER who’s job is to provide blood collections, as a courtesy and comfort to patient and patient families he/she offers coffee, water, food and blankets, answers questions every 15 -30 minutes. Assists in patient transfers from ER to Inpatient departments, and helps prepare rooms for next patient.
Ø Suggestion Box - We encourage comments, suggestions and/or recommendations to help us improve our processes and service.
Ø Provide Excellent Customer Service – At all times, no exceptions or excuses.
Question: Does the lab department have any projects they are currently working on?
Answer: The lab is involved in a Uvalde Memorial Hospital initiative called Advantage Care. Advantage Care is a wellness benefits program that provides health benefits, preventative screenings and savings on your out-of-pocket expenses for a better quality-of–life.
Ø Lab's Involvement with Advantage Care: When you sign up for this great plan, you receive free testing from the lab. Lipid profile, CBCAD and a glucose test – worth $260.00 – absolutely free. Additionally, you also receive a quarterly newsletter filled with health tips and hospital news and one free guest meal per day of hospital stay.
Ø Membership Fees: Annual $20.00 per family of four. Each additional person is $2.50 and $10.00 per individual.
Ø For More Information: Please call our Customer Service at 830-278-6251 ext. 1257 or you can download and print a form online at http://www.umhtx.org/patient-info/discount-benefits-program and bring completed form to our Customer Service or Registration Desk.
