John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service

Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory medical technologists and clinical laboratory medical technicians, perform most of these tests. Here at the Detroit VA Healthcare System, we are a secure full service laboratory offering a wide range of testing and provide services 24-hours-a-day to inpatients and outpatient services, including holidays. Our primary office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. However, we do operate in a reduced or limited capacity during non-business hours, holidays and weekends. We are located on the 4th floor, yellow tower.

The services we provide are primarily handled by the following major sections: Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, and Histology / Pathology. The laboratory also offers phlebotomy services on the 1st floor near the emergency room department, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, primarily for the collection of outpatient services. We use an automated numbering system to handle all Veterans who use this service to expedite seeing you as efficiently as possible. We also utilize a tube delivery system hospital-wide, to ensure an efficient and quick delivery of specimens to us for quicker processing.

Clinical laboratory medical technologists usually do more complex tasks than clinical laboratory technicians do and are highly educated requiring accreditation, and our service offers consultation with providers. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other highly sophisticated laboratory equipment.

The services we provide are increasingly dependent upon automation and the use of computer technology and can provide services at a faster rate and higher volume that is more accurate and precise. We also use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. After testing and examining a specimen, we analyze the results and facilitate the entry into the hospital computer system for immediate review for physicians and other appropriate staff.

We are accredited and comply with all regulatory agencies that oversee us to make sure we provide the best standards possible. The regulatory agencies that oversee us are College of American Pathologists, JCHAO, American Association of Blood Bank, CLIA, F.D.A., VHA Handbook 1106.01, OSHA.

Location of Service in Medical Center:

4th floor C4401
Phlebotomy services are located on 1st floor near the ER dept. C1849

Contact information:

Laboratory Service (313) 576-1000 ext. 63400

Hours of Operation:

We are a 24 hour operation. However, our normal business hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.