Core Laboratory

The Core Laboratory specialises in 'fast turnaround time' pathology testing required for the management of critically ill patients. The Laboratory utilises state-of-the-art technology, including automated analytical and dedicated information management systems to provide test results in a timely manner. The laboratory is staffed 24 hours a day by multi-skilled scientists and technical officers.

Integral to the Core Laboratory is centralised specimen reception, accessioning and preparation area, where all patient samples including those destined for other laboratory services are received and despatched.

The Core Laboratory test menu includes:

• General chemistries
• Blood gas analysis
• Therapeutic drug and emergency toxicology testing
• Endocrine testing
• Infectious serology testing
• Complete blood counts and white blood cell differentials
• Reticulocyte counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

After hours, the Core Laboratory also provides the following services:

• Measurement of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and D-dimer
• Urgent urine microscopy
• Capillary blood collection for patients under 4 years of age.

The Core Laboratory is also responsible for the maintenance and quality control of Point of Care (POC) instruments located throughout the hospital, as well as the training and certification of users. POC instruments are situated in Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Units, Special Care Baby Unit, Core laboratory and Labour Ward. These instruments are capable of providing accurate and reliable measurements on whole blood for critical parameters such as blood gas, pH, electrolytes, glucose, lactate, bilirubin and haemoglobin, which is vital for the provision of critical care to patients of the WCH.

How to access the service

Specimens may be delivered to Central Specimen Reception by courier (Patient Services Attendants) or via the Air-Tube System.

Specimens should be collected by the requesting doctor, placed in the appropriate specimen container, and adequately labelled with all of the following (as a minimum):

• Patient surname
• Patient given name
• Patient UR Number (and /or patient birthdate
• Date of collection
• Time of collection
• Signature of person collecting the blood (for transfusion specimens only)

A “Pathology Investigations Request” form must accompany specimens. This must be completed in full and signed and dated by the requesting doctor, who must also include their valid Provider Number. It must also include the patient’s admission status (public/private) and private patients (or their guardians) should be given the opportunity to assign the Medicare benefit by signing the Pathology Investigations Request in the designated place.

Please note that incomplete Pathology Investigations Request forms and/or inadequately labelled specimens will be returned to their source without processing.

Resources/publications

• WCH RMO Handbook
• WCH Laboratory Handbook

Hours

24 hour service

Contact details

Unit Head

Head, Core Laboratory

Mr Darryl Graham BAppSc, Grad DipAppStats, GradDipBusAdmin, AIMS

Phone: (08) 8161 6058

Fax: (08) 8161 7484

Email: darryl.graham@cywhs.sa.gov.au

Mobile: 0417 805 698

Location

4^th Floor Reiger Building

Mailing address

Core Laboratory

Women's and Children's Hospital

72 King William Road

North Adelaide

South Australia 5006

Phone/fax/email

Result enquiries ph (08) 8161 7483

Specimen collection enquiries ph (08) 8161 6259

General enquiries ph (08) 8161 7483

Fax (08) 81617484

Email cywhs.corelabde@cywhs.sa.gov.au

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