The Bureau of Laboratories operates the state public health lab and regulates clinical laboratories serving the citizens of Pennsylvania. The laboratory supports disease prevention through the provision of investigatory, diagnostic, and confirmatory testing for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Routine testing provides information necessary for patient care and aids in monitoring ongoing public health concerns in Pennsylvania.
Our mission is to provide clinical laboratory testing, advice, consultation and quality assurance standards to all who require or deliver medical diagnostic services; to assure services are accurate, timely, state-of-the-art, cost effective, and delivered in a responsive and courteous manner.
- Dongxiang Xia, MD, PhD, D (ABMM), SV(ASCP), Bureau Director
- Vacant, Assistant Bureau Director
The following staff are members of the Office of the Bureau Director:
The Administrative Services team performs all the functions necessary to support the Bureau of Laboratories' scientific and regulatory activities. It is responsible for Personnel, budget and fiscal management, purchasing and accounts payable, inventory management, shipping and receiving, facilities management, data processing, management of various licenses and permits, and management of the Bureau of Laboratories' automotive fleet.
The Biosafety Officer provides and facilitates training, monitors laboratory and staff biosafety and ensures required biocontainment per applied recommendations and rules within the Bureau of Laboratories. Responsibilities include development and update of plans and procedures, ensuring appropriate response and documentation of accidents and incidents, performance of biosafety risk assessments, and proper management of biological waste generated by the laboratory. The Biosafety officer engages in outreach activities to provide resources and consultation concerning biosafety and the performance of risk assessments to sentinel clinical laboratories in the state.
The Quality Assurance Officer works with the Bureau of Laboratories' management team to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and standards pertinent to the delivery of accurate, reliable and timely laboratory test results. The Officer coordinates quality improvement efforts throughout the Bureau and aids in the adoption of best practices identified by professional organizations and experts in the fields of public health, clinical laboratory science, and quality management.
The Quality Assurance Officer works with the Bureau of Laboratories' management team to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and standards pertinent to the delivery of accurate, reliable and timely laboratory test results. The Officer coordinates quality improvement efforts throughout the Bureau and aids in the adoption of best practices identified by professional organizations and experts in the fields of public health, clinical laboratory science, and quality management.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bureau is located in Exton, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles west of Philadelphia and two and a half miles south of Exit 312 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Its normal hours of operation are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. There is 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week coverage for critical tests such as rabies and for response to public health emergencies.
See the Directory of Services for information on the tests performed at the bureau and use the Specimen Submission Form.
Most of the testing done at the bureau is coordinated through the Department of Health's state health centers, epidemiologists, individual public health programs or local health departments and is not available to the general public. You can call the bureau with questions and will be referred to the appropriate Department of Health office.
The public may submit animals for rabies testing when a human being has been exposed to an animal that may have rabies. See the Rabies page for information on submission.
An image of the bureau's current CLIA certificate, which includes its CLIA number, is available here.
The bureau can tell you whether a laboratory is licensed and in good standing under the state and federal regulations. More detailed information about a laboratory's most recent inspection is available but we ask that you make a formal, written request to examine the files.
It is always best to work with your physician in obtaining and interpreting laboratory results. However, you may request a copy of your results from the laboratory that performed the test. The laboratory will usually ask you to submit your request in writing.
If you are concerned about the quality of laboratory testing, or about a safety issue, call the bureau to file a complaint. All complaints are investigated.