Clinical pathology covers many lab functions. It is concerned with disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Clinical pathologists are healthcare providers with special training. They often direct all of the special divisions of the lab. This may include the following:
- Blood bank
- Clinical chemistry and biology
- Toxicology
- Hematology
- Immunology and serology
- Microbiology
Clinical pathology also includes maintenance of information systems, research, and quality control.
What does a clinical pathologist do?
A clinical pathologist looks at blood, urine, and other body fluid samples under a microscope, or with other diagnostic tools. He or she watches levels of certain chemicals or other substances in the body. A diagnosis or decision to do further study is then made based on the test results. Samples for exam can include any of these:
Types of specimens used in clinical pathology
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Blood
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Blood is used in many tests. It can be checked in these ways:
Blood is often drawn with a needle from a vein, often in the forearm. Sometimes the tip of the finger is pricked and then squeezed to draw blood.
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Urine
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Urine is also used for many tests. Urine samples can be collected by:
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Random method. The person urinates in a cup.
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Clean catch specimen. The outer genital area has been cleaned before urinating in a cup.
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Sterile urine test. This needs catheterization. A tube is put into the urethra and goes to the bladder to get urine.
Sometimes a healthcare provider will need you to do a timed test. This is to measure substances passed into the urine over several hours.
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Sputum (also called phlegm)
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Sputum can be coughed into a clean container.
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Stool (also called feces)
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Stool is often collected by the person in a clean cardboard or plastic container.
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Other body fluids
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Other body fluids collected for testing may include:
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