Exton Home To State Department Of Health Bureau Of Laboratories

EXTON, PA — Chester County has been home to the State Bureau of Laboratories since 1977, and the state Department of Health laboratory in Exton is busy both with public health testing and in its role as a regulator of labs that serve the public.

The Exton home of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Laboratories is about two and a half miles south of the PA Turnpike and operates Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It employs 77 people, including contractors, laboratorians, security guards, and other state employees, according to Maggi Barton, Deputy Press Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The lab also ensures 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week coverage for critical tests and response to public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. "The state lab has worked tirelessly to ensure specimens have been tested and results are delivered in an efficient fashion," Barton told Patch this week.

The bureau declined a phone interview with Patch, but did share some general information.

So, what happens at the lab? In a word, lots of tests. The laboratory supports disease prevention through the provision of investigatory, diagnostic, and confirmatory testing for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Testing also provides information necessary for patient care.

Routine testing aids in monitoring ongoing public health concerns in Pennsylvania, and of course that includes the COVID-19 pandemic right now, Barton said.

The Bureau of Laboratories also has a regulatory function. It regulates clinical laboratories serving the public. The bureau can tell you whether a laboratory is licensed and in good standing under the state and federal regulations.

Medical diagnostic service providers are subject to the bureau's scrutiny. The bureau assures services are accurate, timely, state-of-the-art, cost-effective, and delivered in a responsive and courteous manner. The lab also provides clinical laboratory testing, advice, consultation, and quality assurance standards to all who require or deliver medical diagnostic services.

Pennsylvanians can access more detailed information about a particular laboratory's most recent inspection but must make a formal, written request to examine the files. The bureau might also investigate complaints about laboratory testing, or related safety issues.

The lab moved from Philadelphia to Exton in 1977 following the closing of the Henry R. Landis State Hospital, where the lab was, according to Barton. The lab director at that time was Dr. Vern Pidcoe. Today, the Bureau Director is Dongxiang Xia, MD, Ph.D., D (ABMM), SV(ASCP).

Another service of the lab is rabies testing. The public may submit animals for rabies testing when a human being has been exposed to an animal that may have rabies.

You can find more information about the state lab in Exton here.