Automated Laboratories

The scientific, technical and operational services staff of the seven IMVS Automated Laboratories ensure the provision of a high volume, rapid processing diagnostic pathology service of blood and body fluids, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Staff in the Automated Laboratories liaise with clinical chemical pathology and haematology pathologists for the appropriate investigation of patients, interpretation of results and clinical advice. All assays are validated using quality control samples, to ensure quality and consistency of released results.

Clinical consultation

On-call clinical consultation phone: 08 8222 3000

Pathologists are available 24 hours a day to provide advice to clinicians. The Automated Laboratories division also provides an after-hours one-stop phone enquiry, test result and call back notification service for clinicians.

Biochemistry

Scientific and technical staff process a range of biochemistry tests including liver and kidney function tests, cardiac enzymes (including troponin), cholesterol and glucose.

Immunoassay

We provide testing for the common immunoassay assays including pregnancy testing, thyroid function, prostate specific antigen, progesterone, oestradiol, B12 and folate, and iron studies. Interpretative comments are provided by clinical pathologists and scientific staff.

Haematology and routine coagulation

The routine Full Blood Examination (FBE, CBP, CBE) is performed by scientific and technical haematology staff to determine the status of the haemoglobin, white cells and platelets within the blood.

Routine coagulation testing (INR) is performed to monitor patient anticoagulation therapy. Other tests performed in haematology include malarial parasite screening and identification, semen analysis for infertility, the identification of haemoglobin variants and the testing for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) to monitor diabetes.

Point of care testing (PoCT)

Point of Care scientific staff provide an extensive state-wide service to metropolitan and regional hospitals, and general practitioners. PoCT provides faster result turnaround for certain tests at either the patient's bedside or the GP’s surgery, instead of waiting for the samples to be referred to a larger laboratory service.

Our service includes the installation of PoCT instruments, training and documentation for local staff, monitoring of the quality of results and the transfer of results to OACIS for clinicians to access anywhere in the state for patient monitoring.