Clinical Hematology Laboratory

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:

• “reflex” analysis of blood smears and cytopathologic examination of body fluids 
• directed blood screening for parasites,
• laboratory evaluation of coagulopathies and hypercoagulability,
• identification of abnormal hemoglobins/thalassemia,
• cytochemistries on blood and bone marrow,
• specialty testing for hematologic and related diseases such as chronic granulomatous disease; hereditary spherocytosis; chronic lead poisoning; and sickle cell disease.
  

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.

Parasitology
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.

Hemoglobinopathies
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.

Coagulopathy
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.

Other Services
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.