Laboratory Services
The Laboratory at Fishermen's Hospital is a full-service clinical and diagnostic laboratory focusing on accuracy and efficiency in patent care. Services include blood banking, clinical chemistry, cytology, hematology, microbiology, serology and surgical pathology.
The Laboratory is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most tests are performed in-house with results available the same day.
The Laboratory is accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by the State of Florida for moderate and high-complexity testing.
Staffing
The Laboratoy is staffed by a manager, histotechnologist and medical technologists/technicians licensed by the State of Florida and under the medical direction of a board certified Florida licensed pathologist. PRN technical staff is available for additional staffing as needed with increased patient demand. The Laboratory also has a trained phlebotomy staff for blood draws.
Laboratory Requests and Registration
Although appointments are not necessary, most outpatient draws are done Monday through Friday, 7A-5P. You must have a doctor's written or electron request that indicates the requested test(s) and associated diagnosis. After registration in the Admitting Office, you will then be directed to the laboratory. Refer to section below for special instructions.
Special Instructions
Fasting Test : If your physician tells you to fast before you have your test, this means that you should not eat or drink 8-10 hours before the specime is drawn. This means no juice, toast or coffee. You are able to have small sips of wter while you fast. Consult with your physician about taking or withholding any medications.
Glucose Tolerance Testing (GTT): If you are having a GTT, the test will take from two to six hours to complete, depending on what your physician has ordered. Patients will not be able to leave the facility during the testing procedure. GTTs are only performed Monday through riday, excluding holidays. You should be at the hospital to start your test between 7A and 9A.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy: All therapeutic phlebotomies must be scheduled through the OutPatient Service. Call 305-289-6437.
The need to travel outside your community for lab work is an inconvenience of the past.
Laboratory Service - Chemistry
In the chemistry section, the testing menu is focused mainly on nutritional and metabolic assessment. Cardiac (heart) monitoring tests are also performed in the area.
Laboratory Service - Cytology
Specimens are obtained and placed in a special fluid for processing. A single layer of cells is transferred to a glass slide then stained so the cells are visible. These slides are then examined under the micrscope. The emphasis is the detection of malignant or pre-malignant cells. The examination can also detect inflammation and the presence of certain microorganisms.
Laboratory Service - Microbiology
Within the microbiology section, the causatiive agents of infections are identified. Some microorganisms are identified by growing them on culture plates. These organisms can be tested against a variety of antibiotics to determine which ones will be successful in eliminating the infection.
Laboratory Service - Hematology
The hematology section identifies the type and numbers of cells circulating in the blood stream. Increases in the white cells can signal infection or other serious illness. Coagulation testing is also performed here, providing tests that monitor the effects of Coumadin or Heparin therapy, or determine the cause of unexplained bleeding. 