Laboratory Services

There’s no need to miss work or take a long drive when you require a medical test. Virtually any analysis you need can be performed by Cayuga Health Laboratory Services.

  • Specimens in a laboratory
  • Cayuga Health laboratory courier service leads to quick results

About

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Located within Cayuga Medical Center, we opened our new laboratory in 2012 after years of careful planning and design and helpful advice from our collaborators at Mayo Medical Laboratories. Ours is a full-service laboratory offering a level of service comparable to much larger facilities. We provide testing in all major areas of clinical laboratory including chemistry, special chemistry, cytology, molecular microbiology, pathology, urinalysis, hematology, coagulation, and blood banking.

Our lab has been described by inspectors as a model of what an exemplary hospital laboratory should be, from the flexible infrastructure to accommodate evolving laboratory medicine to the staff’s embrace of “lean” work principles and their adoption of new concepts relating to effective teamwork. The open layout for maximum efficiency and the successful integration of the very latest processes represent the state-of-the-art in function and aesthetics. Our new space includes special accommodations for various surgical specialties, additional space for future expansion, and the latest technology for maximum efficiency and patient safety. In keeping with commitment to be a good neighbor in Tompkins County, the lab was designed and built in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Credentialed, Experienced Laboratory Professionals

Cayuga Health Laboratory Services operates under the experienced direction of board-certified clinical and anatomical pathologist, Dr. Elizabeth Plocharczyk, medical director of the Laboratory. Dr. Plocharczyk has subspecialty training and expertise in cytology and dermatopathology. She works closely with administrative director, Michelle Walters and a staff of more than ninety employees, including thirty laboratory technologist and technicians.

Our Commitment to Customer Service

Cayuga Health Laboratory Services provides laboratory services to the majority of physician practices in the area. We are committed to providing each of them with a robust roster of services. We serve physician practices, local educational and health-care institutions, and most important of all, individual patients in the hospital and outpatient settings in Ithaca, Cortland and Montour Falls.

  • Our goal is to deliver a level of care and service that is equal to or better than any health system anywhere in the region.
  • Our lab has the same test menu as the largest labs in America and we handle a very high volume of work.
  • We are focused at all times on the right way to proceed in order to get accurate test results. Accurate lab work is one of the most fundamental parts of health care.
  • Our client service staff plays a key role in elevating our customer relations by being immediately available to take calls and answer questions coming from our clients.

Patient safety, accurate and rapid testing results, and staying at the forefront of laboratory medicine and technology are our top priorities so that we may serve you better. We perform close to a million tests annually and this number rises with each passing year as an increasing number of physician practices choose our lab over other labs in the region.

The Laboratory at Cayuga Health provides secure online access for medical staff members to refer patients and to view clinical results on referred patients. Through our protected electronic medical records (EMR) system, physicians can order tests online and view their patients’ clinical notes, laboratory test results and pathology reports. This gives physicians and their patients the best opportunity to review test results together, quickly and easily during a patient’s office visit.

The Mayo Medical Clinic serves as the official reference laboratory for Cayuga Health. In this role, Mayo Clinic Laboratories (MCL) performs tests that are done infrequently and tests for rare conditions that require special expertise and equipment. Genetic testing for certain familial cancers, inherited metabolic diseases, and bleeding disorders are among the types of tests for which Cayuga Health uses MCL. However, the Cayuga Health Laboratory is now doing more molecular diagnostic and prognostic testing here in Ithaca and this trend will continue.

The Mayo Clinic is a highly regarded academic center that offers reference laboratory services. Unlike other commercial labs, the Mayo Clinic has a distinct mission: to assist their collaborating labs as they grow and acquire additional expertise. We work closely with our colleagues at Mayo to increase lab efficiencies, expand our capabilities, and make our laboratory service as seamless and dependable as possible. Our tech staff benefits from education courses and weekly teleconferences, which help us as we adopt new technologies and expand our own abilities in esoteric testing.

In 2014 Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca and Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls established the Cayuga Health System to enhance the quality of patient care in the region and to focus on the ways in which our members could work cohesively. To that end, Cayuga Medical Center and Schuyler Hospital Laboratories have integrated laboratory operations to provide high quality and efficient services to their communities.

The Cayuga Health Laboratory is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, (JCAHO), which is a private, independent, not-for-profit organization governed by representatives from the American College of Surgeons, the American Dental Association, and the American Medical Association. JCAHO is the world’s leading health care accrediting body and is responsible for setting national patient care standards. Our Laboratory undergoes JCAHO’s rigorous accreditation process every two years. We have consistently maintained our accreditation thanks to the high standards and excellent training of our Laboratory leadership and professional staff.

Latest Laboratory News

Dr. Elizabeth Plocharczyk evaluates a lab slide via a mobile device.

Cayuga Health Now Offering Real-Time Analysis of Lab Testing

Published On: October 30, 2023

To Your Health with Maggie George, Pathology Assistant at Cayuga Medical Center

Published On: May 3, 2021

Cayuga Health Teams Up with Ithaca-Based Rheonix to Provide Same-Day Turnaround For COVID-19 Testing

Published On: April 30, 2020

Cayuga Medical Center Provides New State-of-the-Art Laboratory

Published On: April 3, 2015

what our patients are saying

“I have had many occasions visiting CMC for myself and family. We have never had a bad experience there at all. Last October I had surgery and the nurses were amazing especially my night nurse. Thank you to all CMC staff for doing what you do every day with a smile.”

Karen, Surgical Services

“I have been a Hemo dialysis patient for almost Five years. Prior to dialysis and during dialysis I have had several trips to the ER, due to other health issues & was admitted to CMC more than a few times. Each and every time I’ve been there, whether in patient or out, I have been treated with respect, professionalism, and efficiency. I give this hospital 2 thumbs up!! Thank you CMC for taking care of me all these years!!”

Monique, Cayuga Cancer Center

“I have to say the last couple visits that I’ve had here have been wonderful. About a month ago I had an EGD and the staff were amazing! Explained everything in detail and made me feel at ease. I was very nervous and the nurse I had was very comforting. Tonight we had to take my son to the emergency room and they were awesome with him! We got right in. “

Samantha, Emergency Department

“The staff and accommodations at Cayuga Birthplace are amazing!!! This is what it I imagine it would feel like to be a celebrity getting VIP treatment. I wish I could stay longer – even the food options are 5 Star! The amenities are great. Everything is clean and designed beautifully. Not a single complaint, only praises!”

Alina, Cayuga Birth Place
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