LABORATORY SERVICES

The Duplin County Health Department provides and ensures the provision of quality-assured laboratory services. All functions of the laboratory, other than those supporting the Environmental Health Section, are regulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. The lab staff provides public health laboratory services for all citizens within the jurisdiction of the health department as outlined in the specific program policies.

Lab services consist of:

• clinical tests that are performed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions.
• clinical tests that are performed to monitor the response to treatment.
• clinical tests that are performed to screen for asymptomatic disease and conditions.

These tests could include:

• hemoglobin
• glucose
• cholesterol
• pregnancy
• sickle cell
• urinalysis
• extensive sexually transmitted disease analyses

Safety & Quality Assurance

An assurance is maintained for the protection of the safety of staff, clients, and the general public regarding specimen collection, laboratory operations, and the disposal of wastes. Laboratory record reviews are incorporated into related program record audits and are held according to program guidelines. There is an annual review and evaluation of the Laboratory Program.

Eligibility

Income determination and application of the sliding fee scale for public health laboratory services will be conducted in accordance with the Duplin County Health Department policy for charging fees for services and financial eligibility determinations. Service restrictions may be applied when provided for in the policies of the specific program involved. No public health laboratory service will be denied based solely on a client's inability to pay. Limited lab services are available to the general public upon request.

Charges

All public health laboratory fee charges will be made in accordance with the approved Schedule of Fee Charges, and only those charges approved as part of the official Schedule will be made by the Duplin County Health Department for services provided.

For More Information Call 296-2130 for more information on Laboratory Services