The Hematology Laboratory provides routine hematology assays for Yale Medical Center patients and specialty hematology testing for both the Medical Center and Outreach. Standard consultative diagnostics in the Hematology Laboratory include:
Our clinical pathologists are available seven days a week to render diagnoses and recommend appropriate testing for ordering clinicians.
The Hematology Laboratory works closely with Flow Cytometry, Molecular Diagnostics, and Cytogenetics to deliver comprehensive, clinical diagnostic care for a range of disorders. The laboratory has been a leader in autoverification of routine hematology testing to speed both urgent care and protocol-driven clinical management, as well as cutting edge diagnostics for rapid identification of sepsis and hypercoagulable risk.
Expert evaluation of blood is available 24/7 for the diagnosis of babesiosis, malaria, and ehrlichiosis and is supplemented by a “double screen” using fluorescence testing to rule out blood parasitemia.
Rapid detection of abnormal hemoglobins and thalassemia is facilitated by high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis and supplemented by gel electrophoretic methods. Quantitation of abnormal hemoglobins, e.g. Hgb S in sickle cell disease, is available 24/7 to guide urgent therapy or red blood cell exchange performed by the Apheresis Service.
Bleeding and clotting disorders require comprehensive laboratory evaluation, which is provided by the Special Coagulation laboratory (open M-F 0700-1600). Screening and directed panels are performed for bleeding and clotting disorders, including von Willebrand’s disease, factor deficiencies, platelet dysfunction, and inhibitor detection for bleeding, while quantitation of natural anticoagulants, detection of activated protein C resistance and lupus anticoagulants assist with the diagnosis of hypercoagulable states. For problematic anticoagulation, the laboratory also offers functional quantitation of anticoagulant levels, including heparin, low-molecular weight heparins, and newer anticoagulant drugs.
The Hematology Laboratory is often the nexus for retention of discarded pathologic samples for research investigations and welcomes such collaborations. Contact the laboratory manager well in advance to facilitate any procedures.
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and of Medicine (Hematology); Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Laboratory Medicine; Associate Director, Yale Pathology Residency Program; Director, Clinical Hematology Laboratory