Lab

The Macon County Health Department has approximately 340 square feet dedicated to an up to date, state of the art laboratory. This laboratory is CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certified. The certification regulates the Macon County Health Department Laboratory along with many other laboratories nationwide. In order for a lab to earn and keep up a CLIA certification, the lab personnel undergo a series of proficiency tests through out the year. These tests are proctored by the American Proficiency Institute and the American Association of Bioanalysts.

The laboratory interfaces with many of the departments and programs offered here at the Macon County Health Department.

           Nursing Division

o       Every nurse goes through a yearly competency test to make sure they are skilled and capable in all of the procedures needed for their job.

o       STD clinic

§        The lab personnel hands preliminary results to the medical professional over-seeing each clinic. 

§        The lab personnel also sorts out specimens and sends specimens to the appropriate Illinois Department of Public Health lab

o       WIC, DHC, and TPS

§        The lab personnel orders supplies needed to complete a lead test on all children 9 months old to 5 years old

§        The lab personnel sorts and ships all specimens to the appropriate Illinois Department of Public Health lab

 
           Environmental Health

o       Water testing

§        The lab personnel tests well waters from all over Macon County and even outside of Macon County Monday through Thursday.  If the well is in Macon County, the fee is $8.00.  If the well is outside of Macon County, the fee is $12.00.  All re-test, whether in county or out of county are $5.00.

·        Water testing includes nitrates, Coliform bacteria, and E. Coli

·        Samples are accepted Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  No samples are accepted on Fridays.

·        Samples must be less than 30 hours old at time of testing!

·        Samples are run at 12:00 NOON on Monday through Thursdays.  You must take this into consideration when you take your sample.

o       Food Borne Illness Outbreaks (FBI)          

§        The lab personnel makes sure that Environmental Health has all of the supplies needed during an FBI outbreak. 

§        The lab personnel also sorts thru all specimens (environmental and nursing) and ships all specimens to the appropriate Illinois Department of Public Health lab

 
           Bio-Terrorism/ Emergency Preparedness

o      The lab personnel is up to date with all certifications with biological agents that could be used.

o      The lab personnel also has to have a high security clearance in the event of a Bio-Terrorism event because many lab personnel may be called to aid the Illinois Department of Public Health labs.

o      The Macon County Health Department is also fortunate enough to have a lab set up with a Biological Containment Hood that will aid not only Macon County Health Department but other agencies throughout Macon County.