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Clinical Core Laboratories

The Clinical Core Laboratories, located at 6240 RCP, is a 24/7 high-volume laboratory performing 3.5 million tests/year.

The labs make extensive use of statistical quality control, lean principles, and real-time throughput monitoring. Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians using integrated, highly automated analyzers, decision-support software and information technology, deliver world-class service.

The Clinical Core Laboratories comprise the following laboratory services:

Chemistry

  • Chemistry Special Assay
  • Electrophoresis
  • Gas Chromatography

Hematology

  • Coagulation
  • Hemostasis
  • Hemoglobinopathies

Urinalysis

Bone Marrow

Flow Cytometry

POC Testing

Specimen Control 

  • Specimen Receipt and Processing

Support Services

  • Call Center
  • Reagent Laboratory
  • Sample Transport (runners)
  • Material Management

Emergent Care Laboratories

  • Special Care Nurseries Laboratory
    • Provides on on-site laboratory adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Intermediate Care Nursery and the Newborn Nursery.
    • Provides phlebotomy specimen collection services for these very small patients (some weighing less than one pound).
    • Provides rapid response laboratory services which set the Laboratory Standard of Care for the clinical management of these critically ill babies.
    • Provides a limited test menu with rapid turnaround time of 10 minutes or less.

The inpatient and outpatient laboratory testing is integrated into this 1 location which promotes operational efficiencies by capitalizing on economies of scale. The laboratory also supports testing for several service lines that carry designations such as the Chest Pain Center in the UI Emergency Department, Cystic Fibrosis Center, UI Stroke Center, and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The laboratory provides TEG testing for liver transplant surgery, total artificial heart and cardiovascular surgeries. The lab is the only one in eastern Iowa and western Illinois to provide testing for hemoglobin abnormalities such as sickle cell anemia and the thalassemias.

The laboratory plays a crucial role in ensuring timely and accurate results for these designated centers. The ability of the lab to provide testing and meet turn-around time criteria is integral to the success of these services in providing high-quality health care related to the prevention, detection, and treatment of UIHC patients.

The Clinical Core Laboratories use Lean practices and values the faculty and staff to create changes that improves quality and safety, increases productivity and enhances the job experience for all staff. Shared values and continuous quality improvement are the foundation for advancing the Clinical Core Laboratories.

Core Laboratory Shared Values:

The Clinical Core Laboratory achieves the departmental mission and vision while embracing the following shared values:

  • Engaged faculty
  • Deliver laboratory services using innovative approaches
  • Provide leadership within the department

Our guiding philosophy is to practice continuous quality improvement, by embracing principles of Lean.