Classification of Clinical Laboratories

A. Classification by Ownership B. Classification by Function C. Classification by Institutional Character

1. Government – operated and 1. Clinical Pathology – includes 1. Institutional Based – a

maintained, partially or wholly, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, laboratory that operates within
by the national government Immunohematology, the premises and as part of an
unit (provincial, city or Microbiology, Immunology, institution, such as but not
municipal), any other political Clinical Microscopy, limited to hospital, medical
unit or any department, Endocrinology, Molecular clinic, school, medical facility
division, board or agency Biology, Cytogenetics, overseas workers and
thereof Toxicology and Therapeutic seafarers, birthing home,
Drug Monitoring and other psychiatric facility, drug
2. Private – owned, established similar disciplines rehabilitation center.
and operated by any individual,
corporation, association or 2. Anatomic Pathology – includes 2. Freestanding – a laboratory
organization Surgical Pathology, that does not form part of any
Immunohistopathology, other institution.
Cytology, Autopsy, Forensic
Pathology and Molecular
Pathology
Classification of Clinical Laboratories

D. Classification by Service Capability

Primary Laboratory Secondary Laboratory Tertiary Laboratory

Provides the following minimum service Provides the minimum service capabilities Provides the minimum service capabilities
capabilities: of a primary category laboratory plus the of a secondary category laboratory plus
following: the following:

i. Routine Hematology [Complete i. Special Chemistry

Blood Count] – includes i. Routine Clinical Chemistry – ii. Special Hematology, including
Hemoglobin Mass Concentration, includes Blood Glucose Substance coagulation procedures
Erythrocyte Volume Fraction Concentration, Blood Uric Acid iii. Immunology
(Hematocrit), Leucocyte Number Substance Concentration, Blood iv. Microbiology – culture and
Concentration (White Blood Cell Urine Concentration, Blood Total sensitivity
or WBC Count) and Leucocyte Cholesterol Concentration.  Aerobic and anaerobic (for
Type Number Fraction ii. Quantitative Platelet hospital based)
(Differential Count) Determination  Aerobic or anaerobic (for
ii. Qualitative Platelet Determination iii. Cross Matching – for hospital non-hospital based)
iii. Routine Urinalysis based
iv. Routine Fecalysis iv. KOH – for hospital based.
v. Blood Typing – for hospital based