Pathology & Diagnostic Medicine

When a medical practitioner orders pathology tests, it is to assist in making a diagnosis. PathLab offers a modern pathology laboratory with a comprehensive range of pathology services with many specialised departments. All the major disciplines are centrally located at our premises in Burwood. The laboratory is supervised by a team of dedicated pathologists and within each department there are a group of professional laboratory scientists and technicians.

Regional Laboratory

52 Childs Rd, Epping, VIC, 3076

PathLab operates a Regional laboratory accredited by both NATA for medical laboratory testing and SGS ICS for ISO9002:1994.

Central Core Laboratory

Haematology

The haematology department analyses red and white blood cells for quantity, size and shape and it is here that indications of disease such as anaemia, leukemia, glandular fever and different varieties of chronic diseases are identified and monitored.

The full blood counts are performed on haematology analysers incorporating the latest technology of combined impedence plus flow cytometry by ABBOTT diagnostics.

In addition scientists apply strict criteria incorporating clinical history and result analysis when finally reviewing the blood film under the microscope.

The haematology department also carries out coagulation assays to monitor patients on anticoagulant therapy (eg. warfarin), and detect coagulopathies. The laboratory can assist in appropriate dosing and management of warfarinised patients.

Blood Bank

Closely associated with the Haematology department is the bloodbanking service. Scientists determine blood groups and the presence of antibodies in patients.

Biochemistry

The Biochemistry department measures levels of specific chemical components of body fluids in order to assess or monitor the function/disfunction of organs such as the heart and liver.

Generally the samples utilised in the department are serum or urine. The panels of tests used in these functions are carried out on our biochemistry analysers.

The results are checked by biochemists and pathologists for accuracy by utilising quality control samples and strict criteria.

The Biochemistry department carries out many tests such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels for coronary artery disease risk, glucose for diabetic diagnosis and monitoring, enzyme levels for liver function analysis, toxicology for therapeutic drug monitoring or illegal drug screening. As well as special protein analysis such as immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement components (C3, C4).

Endocrinology

The impact of molecular and cell biology has been to radically transform our understanding of endocrine physiology and endocrine pathology. Endocrine disorders can be divided into six broad categories: subnormal hormone production, hormone over-production, production of abnormal hormones, resistance to hormone action, abnormalities of hormone transport or metabolism, and multiple hormone abnormalities. There is considerable overlap among these groups. The basis of categorisation based on the fundamental defect provides a useful means of analysing endocrine pathology.

Immuno-assay analysis provides the sensitivity, specificity and reliability that made possible the studies of Invivo hormonal regulation that otherwise would not have been possible. The synergistic interaction between advances in the biochemistry of hormones and investigation with immunoassay resulted in this level of analysis. Serum is the predominant sample used for such measurements.

Immunology / Serology

In this department assays are carried out on blood sera to determine the levels of antibodies which have been formed by the patient against bacterial and viral antigens as well as autoimmune antibodies. In this way viral diseases such as hepatitis and rubella are diagnosed and the patient’s immune status is assessed.

The department has some of the most experienced staff in Melbourne with extensive immunological background and perform some of the most specialised tests of antinuclear antibody screening and other special autoantibody profiles.

Microbiology

The microbiology department deals with the growth, isolation and identification of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses obtained from various parts of the body using specimens such as swabs, faeces, urine, sputum and other body fluids.

The microbiologists identify pathogens which are then tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics.

Hence, the microbiology report will tell the doctor which treatment will be most appropriate. This avoids delays in effective treatment, and unnecessary medication, (ie. if the organism is resistant to an antibiotic).

It may take a microbiologist 2-3 days to confirm a diagnosis due to the time required for a culture to grow. Some cultures require much longer incubations in the order of 4 weeks (eg. Fungal culture).

Anatomical Pathology

Histopathology

The classic area of pathology where every specimen is personally examined and reported upon by a specialist histopathologist.

The specimens examined are pieces of body tissue removed by surgery and sent to the laboratory preserved in formalin. Selected sections of these specimens of tissue are processed and embedded in wax to allow a scientist to cut it into microscopically thin sections. These sections are then mounted onto glass slides, stained and examined by the pathologists. This preparation process takes time and skilled care, sometimes over several days.

Cytopathology

This area of testing involves cancer detection, which focuses on the careful examination of cells taken from different parts of the body rather than whole tissue sections.

Primary example of the work performed is the examination of Pap smears, where highly trained scientific staff and pathologists are looking for precursors of cancer and other cellular changes.

Nearly all cytology involves intense use of the microscope and often a slide is examined several times by scientists and pathologists.

PathLab refers such testing to a Laboratory that specialises in this area of testing.

The Pathology Service

Today PathLab is one of the last independently owned and operated pathology practices. The company employs over 80 dedicated highly qualified people.

Diagnosis and procedural standards are upheld by a constant process of quality control programs. The laboratory is accredited by:

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA).

SGS International Certification Services Pty Ltd

Patient care and convenience is a priority at PathLab. Our Accredited Collection Centres are strategically located throughout Victoria. These centres are staffed by pathology collectors who have received specialised training in collection, preservation and transportation of pathology specimens. A team of Home Pathology Collection staff are available to visit homes and hospitals for those too ill to travel. See our list of Accredited Collection Centres (ACC's).

A fleet of courier vehicles are used to pick up specimens from doctors surgeries, medical centres and collection centres. These vehicles also return reports to doctors usually within 24 hours, unless the nature of the test requested requires longer for processing.