Laboratory Director Marks Decades of Service at Clínica Chacabuco
When Dr. Miguel Lunghi held the position of medical director in 2001, the institution was working on a project to begin cardiovascular surgeries and needed a 24-hour, seven-day laboratory. Previously, the facility had only a small blood gas device operated by Dr. Montani, while all other testing was outsourced as the institution emerged from a major crisis. After Dr. Fernando Funaro recalled that the wife of Miguel Cufré was a biochemist—having moved with her family to Tandil in 1996 and worked shifts at the Pérez Cambet laboratory—he introduced her to Dr. Lunghi, who proposed founding the new service.
Fernando Traverso.
The service grew from processing samples solely for inpatient care to opening an accessible street-level laboratory eight years ago, transforming patient access and internal infrastructure. Ahead of the laboratory’s 25th anniversary on December 10, the facility utilizes automated equipment for clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and bacteriology. A centralized management system now handles patient reception, equipment tracking, and digital report uploads to cloud storage.
Diagnostic Protocols and Human Oversight in Modern Testing
Despite widespread automation and daily internal quality controls, the diagnostic process relies heavily on human expertise and technical precision. Batista leads a dedicated staff comprising two biochemists, two administrative workers, five full-time technicians, and one on-call technician who manage interdependent responsibilities across the testing workflow.
When patients independently request diagnostic tests due to family medical histories—such as diabetes—or circulating health concerns regarding sexually transmitted diseases or coronary risks circulating on social networks, staff routinely require a physician’s order before proceeding, even if it originates from the Guardia. Providing actionable medical findings directly to patients without clinical interpretation can cause unnecessary distress, making physicians the designated recipients of all formal laboratory reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the laboratory require a medical order for patient walk-ins?
Laboratory staff require a physician’s order to ensure that patients receive proper medical context and interpretation for their test results. Delivering a diagnostic report directly to an individual without clinical guidance can trigger avoidable anxiety.
What specific automated technologies are currently used in the laboratory?
The facility operates automated systems dedicated to clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and bacteriology, ensuring high precision alongside daily internal quality checks.
How many staff members currently operate the facility?
The team consists of two biochemists, two administrative professionals, five full-time technicians, and an additional technician handling periodic on-call shifts.
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