LOCATION: Gray 5

The Pediatric Microchemistry Laboratory operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The primary purpose of the laboratory is to serve the pediatric units and provide analysis on small specimen volumes (capillary specimens are often sufficient) with minimal turnaround times. The tests provided by the laboratory at the present time include:

• Blood Gases (pO2, pCO2)
• pH
• Sodium, Potassium
• Osmolality
• Hemoglobin
• Ionized Calcium
• Total and Direct Bilirubin
• Glucose

Its services are available to other care units when special needs exist, and the load can be accommodated without jeopardizing its primary mission to children.

Specimen Collection
Each sample must be labeled with the patient’s name and unit number and must be accompanied by a completed requisition which MUST contain the following information:

1. Patient’s full name and unit number.
2. Location and telephone number of care unit from which sample originated.
3. Physician’s name.
4. Type of specimen.
5. Date and time of day specimen was drawn.
6. Initials of person who drew specimen.
7. Inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2) and temperature whenever
blood gases are present.
8. Test required.

Specimen Delivery
Specimens may be sent via the pneumatic tube system. Check the station chart at the tube station for the correct station number in your zone (listed as STAT LAB). All samples are considered STAT and processed immediately upon arrival. Arrest samples should be designated as such on the requisition, and will be given priority. If hand delivered, the carrier should verbally communicate the urgency to the technologist at the receiving window.

Results
All results are reported directly to the care unit, either by computer or by telephone. In addition, a computer generated report is sent daily to the care unit for insertion into the patient’s permanent record. For further information or questions, please contact:
Director: James Flood, Ph.D. x6-3635.