CLINPATH LABORATORIES

Clinpath Laboratories is a highly respected, well established pathology practice, managed by a highly qualified team of medical, scientific and management staff with Graham Alexander as the Chief Executive Officer.

Clinpath Laboratories was formed in 1985 by two pathologists, Dr Edward Chandraratnam and Dr Svante Orell, as a Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic located in North Adelaide. In 1988 Clinpath moved to larger premises due to the inclusion of additional pathology services (Histopathology and Cytology). In late 1988, Microbiology was introduced, which was followed in 1989 by Hematology, Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion. In 1992 Douglass Laboratories (based in SA and NSW) acquired Clinpath Laboratories. The Douglass site was closed and all services transferred to Clinpath Laboratories in the city. The merger of the two practices proved highly successful as it brought together a core of experienced and committed staff and ensured financial stability. At this stage Douglass Laboratories listed publicly and Sonic Healthcare was born. In 1995 Clinpath Laboratories purchased Path Lab resulting in all services being transferred to the current Clinpath Kent Town site located at the eastern corner of the CBD.

Clinpath Laboratories now operates three laboratories in Adelaide. The main laboratory is based at Kent Town. Laboratories are also located in the Ashford Specialist Centre and Wakefield Specialist Centre. All three laboratories operate 365 days per year, 24 hours a day, and are appropriately staffed to deal with emergency investigations at all times.

Clinpath Laboratories is a wholly owned division of Sonic Healthcare Limited. Sonic is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and represents 16 000 staff including 470 specialist medical practitioners across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Switzerland, Germany, and the USA.

Through its widespread Australasian presence, strong teamwork and systems, outstanding human resources and genuine commitment to patient care and excellence in service, Sonic is able to benefit from the continual sharing of information between practices to ensure world class quality, and provide the widest range of tests.

Sonic Healthcare’s extensive network of pathology and radiology groups brings with it unparalleled depth of specialist medical expertise and commercial experience.

WHAT DOES CLINPATH LABORATORIES DO?

Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, Clinpath Laboratories provides pathology testing services to Adelaide and its surrounds.

Tests are requested for patients by general practitioners and medical specialists from a variety of settings. Pathology specimens originate from patients who may be visiting their general practitioner, be in a hospital, or nursing home, who present to one of our pathology collection centres, or if unable to travel may be seen in their own home.

Pathology helps determine what is causing illness. Through analysis of chemical reactions or observations of cells, tissue or fluid under a microscope, important information can be provided to referring clinicians about illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, iron deficiency, cancer and infectious diseases.

Before any test is undertaken, a formal Clinpath Laboratories request form is completed by a referring medical practitioner. Samples may be collected by the referring doctor or by a Clinpath phlebotomist at one of our many collection centres. Some specimens are more conveniently self collected.

The samples are picked up from collection centres and doctors’ rooms, and taken by a Clinpath courier to one of three high tech Clinpath Laboratories.

The Clinpath Laboratories practice is divided into several sub-specialties, each with specialist pathologists working in the area. These pathology sub-specialties are:

The pathologists and laboratory scientists perform the analyses and examinations, and then interpret the results. Reports are issued to medical practitioners 24 hours a day, as soon as the tests are completed. The results are phoned, faxed, couriered or delivered electronically to the surgery or hospital. The surgery can also phone Clinpath Laboratories at any time of the day or night for consultation or advice.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

Clinpath Laboratories has a total commitment to quality. All three laboratories are fully accredited by National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) and are reviewed regularly.

All departments at Clinpath Laboratories are overseen by a specialist pathologist and experienced senior scientists.

Clinpath participates in local, national and international quality assurance programmes which provide ongoing daily assurance of the quality of our analyses and handling systems.

SONIC HEATHCARE CORE VALUES

Commitment to Service Excellence
To willingly serve all those with whom we deal with unsurpassed excellence.

Treat each other with Respect and Honesty
To grow a workplace where trust, team spirit and equity are an integral part of everything we do.

Demonstrate Responsibility and Accountability
To set an example, to take ownership of each situation to the best of our ability and to seek help when needed.

Be Enthusiastic about Continuous Improvement
To never be complacent, to recognise limitations and opportunities for ourselves and processes, and to learn through these.

Maintain Confidentiality
To keep all information pertaining to patients, as well as professional and commercial issues, in strict confidence.