The Laboratory Services Section provides comprehensive laboratory services for human, animal and environmental specimens and provides professional expertise and consultation. The Laboratory Services Section is comprised of two units: the Operations Unit and the Quality Control Unit.

The Lab Operations Unit provides medical laboratory services for the state-mandated newborn screening program, Texas Health Steps Program, the Maternal and Child Health Program, Title V, and Childhood Lead Screening.

The unit also provides comprehensive diagnostic testing of specimens for the presence of infectious disease organisms and water testing under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Quality Control Unit ensures compliance with federal regulations concerning testing of human specimens and provides support services to all areas of the laboratory to include checking in all specimens and reporting out all test results.

Electron Micrographs from the DSHS Lab:

Mission Statement:
It is the mission of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Laboratory Services Section, to assist communities in the realization of their best possible health by providing to the residents of Texas and other customers analytical, research, training, and educational services which are high quality, efficient, and cost-effective.

State agency rules that govern the DSHS Lab:
Refer to the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 73.

Last Updated October 12, 2007