Hematology

Haematology laboratories and haematopathologists at PathCare perform and interpret tests relating, in general, to the following:
• the number of cells circulating in the blood
• microscopic examination of blood cells
• a decreased or increased clotting ability of blood including monitoring and adjusting dosages for patients using anticoagulants such as Warfarin®
• blood group determinations
• investigation of haemolytic disorders
• examination of bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsy sections
• flow cytometry studies for classification of leukaemias and CD4 and CD8 counts for HIV monitoring

Haematology tests are performed, depending on the urgency and technical complexity, in the Reference Laboratory and numerous peripheral laboratories mainly located in hospitals.

Peripheral laboratories predominantly perform urgent routine type tests (eg full blood counts, coagulation screens) while these tests as well as the more complex investigations are performed at the Reference Laboratory and to a limited extent at selected hospital based laboratories.