 Registered Certified Medical Technologists |
 Superior quality control procedures |
 Computer monitored and barcoded reagent systems |
DUMC Clinical Coagulation Laboratory is a national coagulation reference laboratory that provides the medical community with both routine and sophisticated procedures to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of blood coagulation disorders.
The Clinical Coagulation Laboratory is an
integral part of the health-care team at Duke University Medical
Center. Duke University Hospital and Duke University School of
Medicine were established with a $4 million dollar bequest in
1925 from the estate of James Buchanan Duke. Since that time the
hospital and medical school have grown into what is known today
as Duke University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading
academic health centers. An integral part of a respected
university, it is dedicated to excellence in patient care,
teaching, research, and helping to solve societal problems. In
1998 U.S. News & World Report rated Duke as the fourth
best medical center in the United States, and best in southeast. 
Duke University Medical Center accepts samples on a national basis. Complete details are outlined in the following specimen collection and processing requirements section. Services are provided to individual physicians, reference laboratories, and major medical facilities.
The Medical and Technical staff at Duke University Medical Center is ready to utilize its expertise in selecting and performing cost-effective panels or assays necessary to enhance and expedite the diagnostic process. Consultation regarding test results, result interpretations, or patient management concerns is available if requested.
Many coagulation assays involve special collection and handling to maintain the highest quality results. Courier services are provided in some local areas. Samples may be sent in by priority mail, Federal Express, or similar carrier. Care must be taken to ensure that samples arrive frozen. Duke University Medical Center Clinical Coagulation Laboratory is not responsible for results on any sample which has not been properly handled. See specimen requirements and shipping instructions.
Routine test results are mailed to our clients upon their completion. Results can also be transferred immediately via telefax or telephone reporting as requested.
Interpretation of laboratory data is provided by the Duke University Medical Center Coagulation Consult Service. If a clinical interpretation is requested by the ordering physician, a clinical specialist will be contacted with the patient's results. He or she will contact the referring physician(s) to provide interpretive and patient management assistance.
The Coagulation Consult Service also advises the laboratory on new developments in coagulation.
Duke University Medical Center Clinical Coagulation Laboratory collaborates with physicians and companies on research projects dealing with blood coagulation or clinical trials.
The Clinical Coagulation Laboratory of Duke University Medical Center is staffed by registered Medical Technologists and Medical Laboratory Technicians to prepare, perform, and report routine and specialty Coagulation assays. The Laboratory Medical Director is staffed by a board certified M.D., Ph.D. in Hematology who is responsible for all medical decisions, result interpretations, and laboratory protocols. The Associate Director is staffed by a Ph.D. and the Analytical Specialist position is staffed by a Medical Technologist registered as a Specialist in Hematology, one of whom is on call at all times. Each shift has a Senior Medical Technologist who is responsible for scheduling and direct supervision of that shift.
The Clinical Coagulation Laboratory performs quality control using both normal and abnormal levels of control material for all assays. The Quality Control must be reviewed and be within the tolerance ranges of the laboratory before any results can be released. The Clinical Coagulation Laboratory participates in Proficiency Testing (PT) through the following: College of American Clinical Pathologists Comprehensive Coagulation Survey, International Survey on Lupus Anticoagulants (ILSA-4; and blind testing of unknown samples with other institutions for analytes not regulated by formal PT. All QC and PT results are reviewed and must be successful prior to reporting patient results.
The Clinical Coagulation Laboratory maintains all instruments according to a schedule of preventive maintenance adapted from the manufacturer recommendations or modified for specific conditions of use in the laboratory.
Duke University Medical Center Clinical Coagulation Laboratory is subject to licensing and inspection by local and federal agencies and certified by the U.S. Department of Health and human Services, College of American Pathologists and JCAHO. The laboratory continues to meet or exceed all requirements of the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act (CLIA '88) for laboratory testing.
Duke University Medical Center Clinical Coagulation Laboratory operates 24 hours/day, 365 days per year. Analysis of patient samples occurs throughout the week depending on the assay. Most testing is performed Monday-Friday in timed, cost effective batches. Special arrangements can be made to have tests performed on a STAT basis or outside regularly scheduled hours.
Coagulation Homepage
Previous Section
Next Section
Clinical Coagulation Laboratory
Duke University Medical Center
128 CARL Building
Box 3514
Research Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27710
(919) 684-6366
(919) 681-7673 FAX
Please send suggestions and comments to: wu000031@mc.duke.edu
Last Modified: September 13, 2003
Notice: These images are and reproduction is prohibited without the written consent of Duke University Medical Center and the Clinical Coagulation Laboratory.