The role of the pathology laboratory is the
totality and integration of
all aspects of laboratory analysis and diagnosis and service.
NPG member laboratories have large numbers of centralised and peripheral branch laboratories and blood collection depots throughout South Africa and perform hundreds of thousands individual tests daily.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A SPECIMEN AFTER COLLECTION?
- Specimens must be transported to a laboratory. This is based on an extensive transport network extending from motorbike couriers, to cars, to air transport.
- Each laboratory has its own network of private couriers for collection of specimens throughout the country.
- Specimens are separated and distributed to local or central laboratories for analysis.
Through the intricate and extensive courier-services pathology laboratories reach many of the remote and under-serviced areas, where the establishment of laboratories or depots are not feasible.
- Data is mostly captured at source of collection to reduce risks of error or immediately when the specimens arrive at the depot / laboratory from distant sites.
- All request forms are scanned to ensure an adequate record and audit trail should this be required.
Laboratory services are available 24 hours a day for 365 days a year. Not all laboratories within a practice will offer these services, but the core central laboratories will function in this manner as well as many regional laboratories.
Emergency testing in hospitals is offered on a 24 hour 365 day basis.
Click on a link below to find a list of laboratories:
