Laboratory Medicine
Our laboratory medicine team is supported by a multidisciplinary group of clinical pathologists, scientists, phlebotomists, medical laboratory technicians and technologists, and other specialists dedicated to high-quality, timely testing in a state-of-the-art environment. We provide physician support and consultative services 24/7.
High-complexity testing is performed for Yale New Haven Health System hospitals and for external institutions across New England and Puerto Rico. We operate multiple laboratories and patient service centers throughout Connecticut, with standardized quality systems to ensure accuracy and reliability at every site.
Turnaround time varies by assay complexity and testing location. Many routine and urgent tests are resulted within minutes to hours; others require days and select esoteric assays may take several weeks. Most testing is performed in-house. When specialized methodology or capacity is required, specimens are referred to outside reference laboratories, which may extend turnaround time.
Distinguishing Factors
Our team performs approximately 10 million tests annually, providing a full array of laboratory testing, including specialized high-complexity assays.
- Chemistry testing: Blood and other bodily fluids are tested for chemicals, drugs, and substances that indicate disease.
- Hematology testing: We analyze the amount and function of blood cells and plasma.
- Microbiology testing: We test a variety of specimen samples for infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
- Virology testing: This includes rapid tests for respiratory viruses such as influenza, molecular tests for noroviruses, and antibody tests for HIV.
- Immunology/Molecular diagnostics: State-of-the-art analysis of DNA and RNA is used to test for a variety of diseases and for the risk of developing certain diseases.
- Other specialized tests include the ANA, used to screen for autoimmune disease, and Factor V Leiden genotyping for patients with blood clots.
Laboratories
- Tumor Profiling Laboratory: This lab analyzes tumor DNA to predict the sensitivity or resistance of tumors to a variety of tailored drugs
- VA Connecticut Healthcare Systems Clinical Laboratories: This provides accurate, timely, and efficient testing, pathologic diagnoses, and transfusion services for veterans
- Blood Bank (Transfusion Services): This laboratory tests patients’ blood types and also provides blood products to patients.
