Clinical pathology services are provided at all six hospitals with a large reference laboratory located at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

A Clinical Pathologist:

• Monitors all laboratory testing to ensure test results are accurate and timely.
• Examines specific blood and other body fluids as necessary.
• Communicates with physicians regarding unexpected or abnormal laboratory results as necessary.
• Is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to consult with physicians as needed.
• Develops new and enhanced laboratory procedures to better monitor blood and other body fluids for disease processes.
• Implements improved, more cost-effective procedures and tests.
• Educates doctors and other healthcare professionals about new tests and the best use of all tests.

Clinical Pathology Tests:

• Hematology Test - determines the type and number of blood cells (e.g., white blood cell count).
• Coagulation Test - determines the blood's ability to clot (e.g., prothrombin time).
• Chemistry Test - determines the chemical makeup of blood (e.g., cholesterol level).
• Microbiology Test - determines the presence of bacteria or other organisms in blood, other body fluids, or tissue (e.g., throat cultures).
• Blood Bank - determines the appropriate blood units and components to be used in a transfusion.

Peoria Tazewell Pathology Group directs laboratories located in six central Illinois hospitals: Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Proctor Hospital, Graham Hospital, Kewanee Hospital, Perry Memorial Hospital and Pekin Hospital. Each of the laboratories is a full- service laboratory with most of the reference work performed at Methodist Medical Center Laboratory in Peoria, Illinois.

In addition to the numerous clinical consultations which occur within the six hospitals the members of the group are actively involved with consultations from all over central Illinois and around the country.