Hematology Testing Laboratory in Southern California
Hematology testing measures the cells circulating in your blood, red cells, white cells and platelets, so your physician can see how your body is producing and using them. Pacific Medical Laboratory performs hematology in house at our CLIA certified facility in Irvine, California, and 95% of routine laboratory results are available within 24 hours.
This page is written for referring physicians and clinic staff across Southern California, with a section near the end for patients who have been given a hematology order. Our hematology department supports primary care, internal medicine, oncology, surgical practices and urgent care clinics, and it operates alongside the rest of our core laboratory testing departments so a single requisition can cover multiple disciplines.
What Our Hematology Department Provides
- Automated complete blood counts with red cell indices and platelet counts
- Automated and manual white blood cell differentials
- Peripheral blood smear preparation and morphology review
- Reticulocyte counts and red cell parameters
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Instrument flag follow up with slide review by trained laboratory scientists
- Critical value protocols with direct notification to the ordering provider
Hematology Tests We Perform
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC is the most frequently ordered test in the department. It reports red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, white blood cell count and platelet count. Physicians order it as a baseline in annual exams, before surgery, during medication monitoring and whenever a broad screen of the blood is needed.
White Blood Cell Differential
A differential breaks the white cell count into neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. We run differentials on automated analyzers and move to a manual count when the instrument flags atypical cells or abnormal distributions, so the result your practice receives reflects human review where it matters.
Peripheral Blood Smear Review
A peripheral smear is a stained slide examined under the microscope for cell size, shape, color and inclusions. It is ordered on its own or reflexed from an abnormal CBC. Morphology findings are reported alongside the numeric results rather than in a separate document.
Reticulocyte and Red Cell Studies
Reticulocyte counts measure immature red cells and give physicians a direct read on bone marrow production. Combined with red cell indices from the CBC, these tests are commonly used when a practice is evaluating anemia or monitoring a patient’s response to treatment.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
ESR is a nonspecific marker often ordered alongside inflammatory workups. It is frequently paired with chemistry markers, and practices ordering both can consolidate onto one requisition from our laboratory test directory. Chemistry analytes are handled by our clinical chemistry department.
Quality Standards Behind Every Hematology Result
Pacific Medical Laboratory is CLIA certified, and hematology testing is overseen by board certified pathologists and laboratory scientists. Analyzers run daily quality control across all measured parameters, and instruments are calibrated and maintained on a documented schedule.
Manual review is not an exception process here. When an analyzer flags a result, a trained technologist reviews the slide before the result is released. Critical values are called directly to the ordering provider, and a real person at the lab answers the phone when your staff calls back with a question.
Hematology Testing Across Southern California
Our hematology department is located at our Irvine headquarters, with specimens arriving from more than 15 draw stations throughout Southern California. Patients can use the site closest to them by checking our draw station locations, and practices in our coverage area can arrange scheduled or on-call specimen pickup.
For homebound, elderly or mobility limited patients, licensed mobile phlebotomists can collect hematology specimens at home. We also receive inbound referral specimens from Washington, Virginia and Nevada.
How Hematology Testing Works, Step by Step
Obtain Your Provider's Order
Hematology testing requires an order from a licensed provider. Your physician selects the tests and issues a requisition, either electronically or on paper, that identifies exactly what the laboratory will run.
Give Your Sample
A phlebotomist draws blood into tubes containing an anticoagulant, which keeps the cells intact for counting. Most hematology orders need a single small tube, and the draw itself takes a few minutes. Fasting is not required for a CBC unless other tests on the same requisition call for it.
Analysis in the Hematology Department
Your specimen is transported to Irvine under controlled handling and logged into the department. The sample runs on an automated analyzer, and any instrument flag triggers a manual slide review before the result is finalized.
Results Delivered to Your Provider
Completed results are released to the ordering provider through our clinician portal, with 95% of routine results available within 24 hours. Patients can view their own results through the patient portal once released.
Hematology Testing FAQ's
What is hematology testing used for?
Hematology testing gives physicians objective data on the cells in your blood. It is used as a baseline screen, as part of pre surgical workups, and to monitor patients on medications that affect blood counts. Your physician interprets the results in the context of your history and symptoms.
How long do hematology results take?
95% of routine laboratory results, including standard hematology, are available within 24 hours. Orders that reflex to manual morphology review or additional testing may take longer. Turnaround for any individual test is listed in our laboratory test directory.
Do I need to fast before a CBC?
Fasting is not required for a complete blood count. If your requisition also includes chemistry tests such as a lipid or glucose panel, your provider may ask you to fast. Follow the instructions your provider gives you for the full order.
Where can I get hematology testing done in Southern California?
Hematology specimens can be collected at any of our 15+ draw stations across Southern California. Testing itself is performed at our Irvine laboratory. Check the locations page for the site nearest you and its hours before you go.
Can hematology samples be collected at a patient's home?
Yes. Licensed mobile phlebotomists can collect hematology specimens at a patient’s home. This is most often used for homebound, elderly or post surgical patients. Specimens are transported to Irvine under the same handling protocols as draw station collections.
Choosing a Hematology Testing Partner in Southern California
Hematology is high volume, time sensitive and easy to take for granted until a result is delayed or a flagged sample is released without review. Pacific Medical Laboratory runs the same expansive test menu you would expect from a national reference lab, with in house pathologist oversight and a phone that a real person answers.
To set up an account, arrange specimen pickup or ask about a specific assay, contact our team in Irvine. Patients can find the nearest collection site on our locations page or review ordering details in the test directory.