Diagnosis: Laboratory Positive

Laboratory Medicine, also referred to as Clinical Pathology, is one of two main branches of Pathology, the science of the cause-and-effect study of diseases. Clinical Pathology diagnoses a disease through laboratory testing of blood, urine, stool, saliva, and body fluids (i.e., CSF, Peritoneal, etc.). The other branch of Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, consists of Histology, diagnosing a disease by examining stained body tissues; and Cytology, which studies the cellular structure, function, and chemical makeup of cells. 

“Whether a Veteran has a new disease, or they’re being monitored for an existing disease, what gives the provider the answers they’re looking for is to draw blood, urine specimen, collect fluids from the joints, or spinal fluid,” said Richard Thompson, Battle Creek VA Laboratory Manager. “They all have to come to laboratory and pathology department, and we process those samples on some very sophisticated analyzers to give them the answers that they’re looking for.”

Medical laboratory technologists are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment used to examine samples or specimens. They ensure that all tests are performed in a precise and timely manner so that the results and interpretations are accurate.

To accomplish finding the right answer from specimens that are provided, Laboratory Service will use a myriad of equipment to include: Sysmex's XN modules for hematology, Instrumentation Laboratory's ACLTop for coagulation, Abbott's Alinity (C and I modules) for chemistry and immunochemistry, Siemens' Clinitek Advantus (for urinalysis), Cepheid's GeneXpert and Biomerieux's BioFire Torch for molecular diagnostics, Biomerieux's Vitek2 Compact for bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Sounds complicated? That’s because it is. These laboratory professionals undergo a lot of education and training to operate these computers, analyzers, and programs. Laboratory Service includes Phlebotomists, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), Medical Technologists (MT), Histotechnologists, and Cytotechnology.

“It’s a very analytical type of job so being able to use my brain and puzzle out the solution to give the provider the information they need to make the correct decision is very rewarding and I like that puzzle aspect of it,” said Miriam Price, Battle Creek VA Medical Center Microbiology & Phlebotomy Supervisor.

Each month, Battle Creek’s Laboratory Service serves approximately 2,100 Veterans. Annually, they process specimens for around 25,000 Veterans. The mission of this critical health care service is one that will always be an ongoing one.

“Knowing that I’ve done good work for the people that I’ve helped today, and that it’s all going to start all over again because there is no ‘end-of-task’ here and knowing that we’re able to provide the best care, surrounded by a good team, gives me and our team a lot of pride.” 

Battle Creek VA Medical Center, along with its four Clinics, is responsible for Veteran care in 21 counties of Michigan, where there is a Veteran population of up to 144,613.

“Working with Veterans has given a more specific focus on a group on a group of people who have done so much for us and our country,” said Thompson. “For us to be able to return that favor and to take care of that Veteran who so gave of themselves and serve them in this capacity is so very rewarding.”

Early detection and diagnosis lead to better targeted therapy with fewer side effects. Using the guidance from genetic tests, physicians can prescribe the right drugs, at the right times, and at the right doses for the Veteran population. Preparing for a medical procedure, changes in individual health, or simply feeling sick, Veterans utilizing VA’s Laboratory Service isn't just a possibility, it's a high probability.