The UC Irvine Medical Center Clinical Chemistry Laboratory offers a comprehensive range of routine and specialized testing for diagnostic, prognostic and disease monitoring purposes on blood, urine and other fluids.
The laboratories maintain a comprehensive selection of routine, high-volume automated clinical biochemistry tests as well as a diverse menu of serological tests, toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, endocrine/hormone analysis, tumor markers and others.
All common automated tests are performed in the UC Irvine Medical Center laboratory or in our core laboratory facility, with a rigorous standardization and quality-control program to assure comparability of results. Chemistry testing is performed 24 hours a day as STAT services for inpatient, emergency department and trauma services. Stat and high throughput testing are performed on automated tracks for sample processing and analysis. Consultative/interpretive reports by faculty are provided for amino acid analysis and monoclonal gammopathy analyses (protein electrophoresis).
Toxicology laboratory services include both routine and STAT analysis of drugs and metabolites in blood and urine samples. Testing includes therapeutic and transplant drugs (cyclosporins, FK506, sirolimus, etc.), overdose drug screening (confirmation for amphetamines and opiates), drugs of abuse screening, alcohol and volatile analyses and whole blood lead analysis. Categories of drugs tested include analgesics, antiarrhythmics, sedatives, antidepressants, antihistamines, opiates and stimulants.
The lab performs testing for adults and pediatric patients utilizing a variety of analyzers and methods including immunoassay, GC, GC/MS, HPLC, LC/MS/MS and atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
The medical staff and the laboratory medical directors work together to insure that all patient testing needed for emergency care are readily available to the emergency department physicians and nurses. Please see laboratory tests available on a STAT Basis. Additional testing can be obtained through faculty (pathologist) consultation. A pathologist is either immediately available or is on call for immediate consultation. In addition, licensed laboratory staff is available on call 24/7 every day of the year.
The UC Irvine Medical Center Clinical Chemistry Laboratory offers services in the following areas:
Laboratory | Hours of Operation | Ext. | Bldg/Room |
---|---|---|---|
Automated Chemistry |
24 hours daily (Douglas Hospital) |
5201 |
Bldg 1, 3424 |
7 am – 2:30 pm Closed weekends and holidays (Core Laboratory) |
5262 |
Bldg 54, 1200 |
|
Special Chemistry |
7 am - 5 pm, M-F 7:30 am – 4 pm, weekends and holidays |
5295 |
Bldg 54, 2200 |
Toxicology |
24 hours daily |
5293 |
Bldg 54, 2200 |
Urinalysis |
24 hours daily |
5207 |
Bldg 1, 3424 |
Laboratory test results are dependent on the quality of the specimen submitted. If there is any doubt or question regarding the type of specimen that should be collected, it is imperative that the laboratory is called to clarify the order and specimen requirements.
Most laboratory tests are performed on serum, anticoagulated plasma, or whole blood. Please see the individual test directory listings for specific requirements.
Plasma: Draw a sufficient amount of blood with the indicated anticoagulant to yield the necessary plasma volume. Gently mix the blood collection tube by inverting 8-10 times immediately after collection. If required, separate plasma from cells by centrifugation within 20-30 minutes.
Serum: Draw a sufficient amount of blood to yield the necessary serum volume. Invert tube 5-10 times to activate clotting. Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes. NOTE: Avoid hemolysis.
Whole Blood: Draw a sufficient amount of blood with the indicated anticoagulant. Gently mix the blood collection tube by inverting 8-10 times immediately after collection. NOTE: Tubes intended for whole blood analyses are not to be centrifuged and separated.
All patient specimens MUST be placed in biohazard bags for transport to the Laboratory.
An alphabetic and detailed list of analytes tested can be found online in our Laboratory Test Directory. Visit our Laboratory Test Directory for more information.
101 City Drive
Orange, Ca. 92868
Phone: 714-456-5201
Dylan Bach, MD, MBA
Phone: 714-456-7557
Phone: 714-456-5507
Steven Sarandis
Phone: 714-456-5906
Victor Barte
Phone: 714-456-8662
Shirley Tungpalan
Phone: 714-456-6543
Joan Sahagun
Phone: 714-456-5215
Cristina Reyes
Phone: 714-456-8795