The Bloodborne Viruses Laboratory (BVL) focuses on clinical and public health laboratory activities related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The BVL is involved in a wide range of testing, surveillance, and applied research activities. Laboratory services include:
The Wadsworth Center Bacteriology Laboratory serves as the New York State public health reference laboratory for bacterial identification and research. The laboratory is responsible for the identification of bacterial pathogens of public health significance as well as collaboration with New York State and New York City epidemiologists across multiple areas. The laboratory is involved in a wide range of testing, surveillance, and applied research activities.
Arbovirus is a term used to refer to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropod vectors. New York is host to a number of endemic mosquito-borne arboviruses which include West Nile virus introduced in 1999, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, La Crosse virus, Trivittatus virus, South River virus, Potosi virus, Cache Valley virus and Highlands J virus. New York is also home to the tick-borne Powassan and Deer Tick viruses.
Complaints NOT reviewed by this office
- Hospital, diagnostic, ambulatory surgical, dialysis and treatment centers, and primary care clinic issues in New York State are reported to the Department of Health.
- Billing issues, including consumer health care rights and billing, are reported to the Attorney General's Office Health Care Bureau.
- Insurance issues, including health insurance products
More than 350 facilities are approved by the department to provide blood services. One and a quarter million blood components are prepared annually. Approximately 90% of the blood is collected at blood centers, with the remainder collected by approximately about a dozen hospitals and a small number of independent facilities.
Informational materials on blood services, including guidelines and recommendations, are developed and made available to the public and to regulated parties as appropriate. The Program monitors errors and accidents involving blood for transfusion.
The New York State Department of Health Physician Office Laboratory Evaluation Program (POLEP), under contract with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is responsible for managing activities related to administration of the federal program implementing the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988 (CLIA) for physician office laboratories (POL) throughout New York.
CLIA federal regulations apply unless the State has enacted laws relating to laboratory requirements that are equal to, or more stringent than, CLIA requirements.
This program regulates the following aspects of alcohol testing as established in 10 NYCRR Part 59:
- Permits individuals to perform blood alcohol analysis and breath alcohol analysis
- Ensures that training agencies fulfill the necessary requirements
- Approves breath alcohol instruments and ignition interlock devices
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How can the New York State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program help you today?
Wadsworth Center’s Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory operates within the Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Division of Environmental Health Sciences. The Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory cooperates with other New York State agencies such as the Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection, Bureau of Water Supply Protection, as well as with the US Food and Drug Administration for radiological food protection.
