Diagnostic testing is essential to the basic management of patient care, allowing physicians to detect disease earlier, make diagnoses, prescribe therapies and monitor results.
Whether it’s a routine lab test such as a CBC, or one of the most technologically advanced tests for detecting genetic deletions and mutations, such as the Spectral Karyotyping test, Quest Diagnostics provides the medical community with the most comprehensive laboratory testing menu available.
Through the combined resources of our regional laboratory facilities and Nichols Institute, we provide rapid answers to difficult medical questions. In addition, patients benefit from the convenience of accessing the nation’s largest network of specimen collection sites with almost 2,000 Patient Service Centers located throughout the U.S.
Medical and Scientific Focus Areas
Anatomic Pathology
image: people at microscopesQuest Diagnostics offers a full range of anatomic pathology testing. Microscopic tissue and cell examinations, such as biopsies and Pap tests are performed by skilled physicians and technologists, enabling the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. We are the nation’s largest provider of anatomic pathology testing.
We are particularly proud of our role in introducing an important technological advancement in cervical cancer screening, called liquid-based cytology. This newer Pap technology provides numerous benefits over the conventional Pap smear:
- Improved specimen quality with nearly 100% of the collected cells
- Clear sample of cells is presented because blood, mucus and inflammation is removed
- Ability to substantially reduce false negative rates
- Significant reduction in “Unsatisfactory” and “Limited Adequacy” results
- Increased detection of cervical disease
Quest Diagnostics has demonstrated liquid-based cervical cytology success and leadership by being early adopters of this technology and evaluating more liquid-based cytology samples than any other laboratory.
Gene-based Testing
The historic completion of the Human Genome Project in 2000 focused a spotlight on the diagnostic testing industry. By completing the mapping of approximately 100,000 human genes, the trailblazing scientists who were part of the project laid the groundwork for a new revolution in understanding the role those genes play in human health and disease. Today, Quest Diagnostics is the leader in gene-based testing, and is committed to building upon that leadership. Key areas of focus include commercialization of diagnostics applications in functional genomics (the analysis of genes and their functions), and proteomics (the discovery of new proteins).
Disease State and Disorder Testing
Quest Diagnostics concentrates on the following disease or disease groups to offer greater insights to physicians and healthcare providers:
Genetics / Heritable Diseases
Quest Diagnostics is the leader in Molecular Genetics, Biochemical Genetics and Cytogenetics. We pioneered new technologies such as Spectral Karyotyping, enabling doctors to diagnose certain genetic diseases where previously they could not. Maternal screening for birth defects and patient evaluation for inherited disorders are examples of services provided in the genetics laboratory.
Oncologic and Hematologic Disorders
Cancer is perhaps one of the most complex diseases facing doctor and patient. The Oncology Center at Quest Diagnostics is the focal point for answering questions and providing results to care providers. Through the years we have led the way in laboratory testing for cancers of the breast, prostate, ovary, and thyroid as well as leukemia and lymphoma. Our medical directors consult with physicians to optimize care for individual patients to diagnostic approaches. From screening to diagnosis to post-therapeutic monitoring, we offer one of the most comprehensive testing capabilities for the evaluation of cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease, still the nation’s number one killer, is a major focus for Quest Diagnostics. Traditional methods of assessing cardiovascular disease risk such as cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL are now supplemented by newer tests pioneered in our laboratory. Homocysteine, Cardio CRP and LDL Subparticles are but a few of the new tools we provide to physicians for more comprehensive risk assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.
Endocrine System Disorders
Endocrinology testing and consultation have been long-standing strengths at Nichols Institute. Virtually every thyroid test performed today in hospitals and other laboratories was pioneered at Nichols Institute. In addition to thyroid testing, the endocrinology center provides answers on diabetes, bone disorders such as osteoporosis, infertility, pituitary disease, diseases of the adrenal glands, growth disorders and many metabolic disorders.
Infectious Diseases
HIV, Hepatitis, and Influenza testing are but a few of the many services offered in the infectious disease laboratory. Viral load and genotyping tests for patients suffering from HIV and Hepatitis B and C are available through our nation-wide network of regional laboratories. We also provide testing for resistant organisms as well as newly emerging strains of TB and other dangerous pathogens.
Toxicology
Toxicology can take on two distinct forms: drugs of abuse testing and therapeutic drug monitoring. In either case, Quest Diagnostics offers the most advanced methodologies available. Our toxicology labs provide accurate and rapid results on blood lead and heavy metals. Additionally, toxicology testing is available to help monitor patients on long-term drug therapy to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of medication to control their disease without reaching dangerous levels in the blood.
