Clinical Laboratory Division

Introduction

The Clinical Laboratory Division comprises the Clinical Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomical Pathology laboratories.
The Clinical Pathology Laboratory consists of hematology, biochemistry, serology, urinalysis, bacteriology, and blood bank sections. The physiological laboratory has 4 sections: ultrasonography (US), electrocardiography, electroencephalography, and respiratory function tests. These sections are managed by 3 physicians and 2 technicians. These laboratories assist internists and surgeons by providing reliable data at short notice. The Anatomical Pathology Laboratory staffed by 4 consultant pathologists and 6 technicians is involved in the analysis of surgical, cytological, and autopsy specimens. All the data gathered by this laboratory are electronically filed and can be accessed by physicians at any time.

Routine Activities

The Clinical Laboratory Division has 5 doctors, 18 technicians, and 2 assistants. Data quality control and laboratory management are discussed at monthly meetings attended by doctors and chief technicians. Several weekly conferences in each section are held to monitor data quality control.
The most important role of the Clinical ＰPathology Laboratory is to provide highly reliable data rapidly to support prompt therapeutic decision making. A new downsized automatic analyzer was installed last October; this system enables hematology data to be obtained within 1 h. Our clinical computer system was also renovated to process external laboratory test orders and results electronically.
The bacteriology section plays an important role in infection control not only by examining daily specimens but also by summarizing monthly, quarterly, and yearly statistical data on hospital infections.
The blood bank section types blood, screens irregular antibodies, and supplies blood at the request of physicians.
In the Physiology Laboratory, US is an important screening examination for malignancies in the neck and abdomen. Cardiac US provides valuable information on preoperative patients with cardiac disorders and on patients who have undergone chemotherapy with cardiac toxicity.
The Anatomical Pathology Laboratory evaluates surgical, cytological, and autopsy materials and is responsible for making final histological and cytological diagnoses. For more accurate diagnoses, immunohistochemical approaches and/or genetic analyses are frequently employed.

● Y. Nishiwaki, T. Tagami ●

Number of laboratory tests carried out in 2002–2006
Section 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Urinalysis 157,962 145,502 182,046 192,597 176,173
Hematology 429,745 432,049 452,652 473,416 488,908
Biochemistry 1,255,013 1,265,225 1,344,923 1,330,853 1,338,116
Serology 112,936 122,564 120,710 121,436 118,468
Bacteriology 16,953 15,620 15,966 17,834 17,799
Surgical Pathology 11,868 12,280 11,862 12,573 12,339
Cytology 6,082 6,304 6,164 5,411 4,888
Blood Banking 18,412 17,168 17,284 20,047 20,240
Physiology 37,051 34,784 34,700 34,485 34,530
Total 2,046,022 2,051,496 2,186,307 2,208,652 2,211,641

Number of anatomical pathology examinations in 2002–2006
Examination 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Biopsy 9,930 10,266 9,888 9,049 8,840
Operation 1,938 2,014 1,977 2,116 2,107
Cytology 6,082 6,304 6,164 5,411 4,888
Autopsy 24 19 12 12 21

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