Laboratory Services
Announcements:
- NEW! HCV Laboratory Reporting Changes Effective 12/13/2021
- Environmental Microbiology Fee Increase
- Updated Requisitions for Clinical Submission (PH-4182) and COVID-19 (PH-4360) Revised 9/21
- COVID-19 - Orders must be submitted through the Lab Web Portal (see additional guidance below)
- COVID-19 Sequencing Guidance
- TN Lab Web Portal Quick Guide - COVID-19
- TN Lab Web Portal Presentation - 2021 Reportable Disease Guidance (effective 1/2021)
- New! Tennessee Emerging Infections Program Bench Buddy (rev. 7/2021)
- HIV and HCV Change in Specimen Collection Device (Effective 9/12/2021)
- Newborn Screening Fee Increase (effective 1-1-2020)
- NBS: Special Care Nursery NICU Recommendations
- NBS: Change for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) newborn screening for Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants
- TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT OF RABIES PROCESSING - Effective May 7, 2021
- SPHL Test Menu Changes Memo
- COVID-19 - CDC Resources
- Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care and Rapid Testing
- CDC Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronvirus Disease 2019
- Training Resource for Specimen Packing and Shipping PowerPoint PDF
- Point of Care COVID-19 Antigen Testing Biosafety Guidance
- DOT Guide to Packaging Category B Samples Poster
- DOT Safety Advisory Notice for the Transportation of COVID-19 Diagnostic Samples
About Laboratory Services
The Mission of Laboratory Services is to provide high quality analytical services of medical and environmental testing and to achieve the Mission of the Department of Health.
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Laboratory Services consists of the Microbiology Laboratories and Environmental Laboratories in Nashville and Knoxville. The central laboratory is housed in Nashville in a dedicated facility with state of the art equipment. The laboratory consists of 125 full time employees.
The Microbiology Laboratories are licensed by the State of Tennessee Laboratory Licensing Service (LLS) and certified by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CLIA Laboratory Certificate of Compliance) to perform clinical testing. The laboratories perform a wide range of microbiological testing in the areas of Bacteriology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, Immunoserology, Virology, and Newborn Screening. Laboratory Services is also the State Emergency Preparedness Laboratory for biological agents.
The Environmental Laboratories in Nashville and Knoxville are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Each laboratory follows guidelines, regulations, and methodology as
prescribed by the EPA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and other federal or state programs. The Environmental Laboratory consists of the Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Aquatic Biology, and Chemical Terrorism
Laboratories. The Environmental Laboratories perform testing in support of other state departments such as the Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Labor, and the Department of Transportation.
Lab Services Organizational Chart (August 2021)
Objectives of Laboratory Services
- To provide quality-assured microbiological and environmental chemistry laboratory services.
- To assist other Tennessee laboratories in developing and strengthening their laboratory services.
- To serve the entire state as a reference laboratory for difficult, unusual or otherwise unavailable laboratory procedures.
- To serve as a resource of information on laboratory practice.
- To test human and related specimens and environmental samples.
- To assist in the development, evaluation, and standardization of medical and environmental laboratory testing procedures.
- To participate in special studies and research projects.
- To provide refresher training and information updates.