The Serology Laboratory is a section of the Division of Clinical Pathology in the Department of Pathology at the University Medical Center. This laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, therefore, policies and procedures are written in accordance with those standards.
Location and Telephone Numbers: The Serology Laboratory is located on the first floor of the hospital, room S102. The telephone numbers pertinent to this area are listed below.
Virology is a subsection of Serology.
- Serology/Molecular Pathology Section ......................................................... Ext. 42365
- John Coleman, D.O., Ph.D., Director ............................................................... Ext. 42355
- Keith Wilkins,B.S., MT(ASCP), Chief Technologist ..................................... Ext. 56112
- Suzanne Moore, B.S., MT(ASCP), MT Supervisor, Serology...................... Ext. 42365
Hours of Operation: Serology is staffed 24 hours a day.
Consultations: Contact John P. Coleman, D.O., Ph.D., extension 42355. Pathology staff and residents are available 24 hours day. See current monthly call schedule for after hours, weekends, and holidays.
Emergency Requests: Serology: All Cryptococcal antigen, Strept A, and Infectious mono (pediatrics only).
Collection of Specimens: All specimens must be collected in sterile tightly sealed containers and delivered promptly to the microbiology laboratory. Leaking containers or containers with gross specimen contamination on the outside are not acceptable. Refer to specific source collection procedures in this handbook for detailed instructions.
Reference Section: Notice to all outreach facilities: The proper preservation of specimens is critical to accurate measurement. If your facility (by virtue of its location) will be sending specimens to UMC for arrival in excess of the time defined in the Laboratory Handbook for processing, you will need to prepare and store the specimen in a different manner and contact the specific lab for special instructions. For the Serology section the following are the most common tests in this lab requiring special preparation and preservation when there is a delay arriving in the UMC main laboratory.
- Gonnorrhoeae/Chlamydia Test - Place swab in transport media. Refrigerate and deliver promptly.
- HIV Quantitative Test - Draw in purple top (EDTA). Separate within 6 hours. Refrigerate and deliver promptly.
- Hepatitis Test - Draw in yellow top tube. Separate, refrigerate and deliver promptly.
- HIV AB - Draw in yellow top tube. Separate, refrigerate and deliver promptly.
- Rubella IgG - Draw in yellow top tube. Separate, refrigerate and deliver promptly.
- Group B Streptococcus by PCR- Collect on Copan Swab and deliver immediately.
Notes: Virology samples should be collected in viral collection media available in microbiology and delivered immediately on ice.