Importance of the HEMATOLOGY

What is the basic function of the hematology lab?

or

What is the scope of hematology?

or

What is the hematology section in the laboratory?

 

Hematology is the specialty responsible for the diagnosis and management of a wide range of benign and malignant disorders of the red and white blood cells, platelets and the coagulation system in adults and children.

 

The Hematology Section performs routine and special tests on the components of whole blood such as the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
 

The section also performs cell counts, differential counts, and other microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other body fluids.


 

Areas of study

 Four major areas of study within hematology include:

-  Hemoglobinopathy

-  Hematological malignancies

-  Anemia

-  Ccoagulopathy. 

-  Hemoglobinopathy is the study of abnormality in the globin chains of hemoglobin molecules. In addition to sickle cell anemia, thalassemia (also known as erythropoiesis) is part of hemoglobinopathy. 

-  The area of hematological malignancies is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the bone marrow, blood and lymph nodes.

-  Myeloma is one type of hematological malignancy, along with leukemia and lymphoma. 

-  Other disorders treated by a hematologist include arterial thromboembolism, deep-vein thrombosis and neutropenia.

THE ROLE OF THE HAEMATOLOGIST

Haematologists work very closely with other health professionals in hospital and primary care. 

Haematologists care directly for patients on hospital wards and out patient clinics. 

Their patients may have a serious life- threatening illness such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma that requires chemotherapy. They also advise to physicians about how to care for patients in their homes. Some haematologists specialize in diseases affecting the blood coagulation system such as haemophilia, while others  provide expertise in the areas of blood transfusion or disorders of haemoglobin such as sickle cell disease.

 Haematologists perform a wide range of laboratory tests to produce and interpret results assisting clinicians in their diagnosis and treatment of disease.

 

For example, haematologists are the pathologists who receive blood samples from surgeries and check them for abnormalities. They look at blood film and, for example, if they suspect leukaemia, can assess the patient, explain concerns, perform a bone marrow biopsy and examine and interpret the samples. The diagnosis can be done within a few hours, since in some cases treatment must be started immediately.

 

Haematologists also diagnose and treat patients with anaemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells).

 

Some haematologists are involved in transfusion medicine, ensuring that adequate stocks of safe blood are available when needed for blood transfusions. They confirm which donated blood is the right match for the patient’s blood group.  For example, haematologists work in the Blood and Transplant service  providing vital support for blood transfusion, organ and stem cell transplantation.

 

They also undertake research into diseases such as leukaemia. By gaining understanding of diseases they also research therapies to help improve survival rates of patients.