ULNC/Specimen Processing Lab

A service unit within the Pathology Laboratories, Specimen Processing receives incoming laboratory test specimens from patient floors and clinics (on and off-site) for the University of Michigan Health System. Staff in this unit complete the entry of orders into the Laboratory Information System which is maintained by Pathology Data Systems. A physical inspection of the specimen is performed to ensure that it is in the correct tube, is not damaged, and has been transported to Specimen Processing appropriately. The specimen is then prepared (centrifuged, divided into aliquots) and distributed to the requested laboratory. Specimen Processing staff also ship patient samples to outside reference laboratories if the procedure is not performed in one of our laboratories.