The Laboratory is staffed 24hrs/365 days and is open for outpatients M-F 7:00 to 5:00, and Sat 8:00 to 12:00.
Lab Outpatient desk is 521-2157.
HRH Lab is a fully accredited CLIA Lab, offering a full service menu of testing options in the areas of Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Coagulation, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Serology, Special Chemistry, Urine chemistries and Urinalysis. The majority of your Lab tests are performed locally by fully certified technologists who adhere to a strict Quality Plan to ensure your results are performed accurately and in a timely manner. Many lab tests have special requirements. Please contact the Lab with any collection questions you may have.
HRH LAB – WHERE QUALITY COUNTS!
CHEMISTRY:
The Beckman DxC 500i Clinical analyzer is an integrated system combining chemistry and immunoassay testing, which operate independently but share a common console and sample handler. It provides a real-time, multi-tasking environment to allocate analyzer resources and schedule test processing steps in the most efficient manner. The analyzer is interfaced with the hospital’s computer system, analyzing barcoded specimens from patients and reporting the pertinent data to the patient’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR). This analyzer is new to HRH Laboratory in 2026. The DxC 500i is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assist in quality and precise measurement of the analytes by combining patient samples with appropriate reagents. HRH Laboratory is proud to bring this updated technology to the patients we serve.
BLOOD BANK:
In January 2025, HRH began the process of interfacing with the National Alloantibody Exchange. The project required months of preparation, collaboration, and validation, involving Dr. George Hauser, President of the Alloantibody Exchange, along with HRH Hospital Information Technology, Laboratory IT, and Blood Bank leadership. Through service and business agreements, system validation, and implementation, HRH successfully established access for its laboratory team. Houlton Regional Blood Bank committed to this initiative recognizing that every available safeguard is essential to protecting patients who require transfusions. Participation in the exchange allows authorized healthcare facilities to access a patient’s historical red blood cell (RBC) antibody, antigen, and special transfusion requirements—information that can be critical to preventing adverse transfusion reactions.
HRH Phlebotomists are a team of onsite trained professionals who perform the venipunctures (blood draws) on all patient ages. Over 100 patients are drawn each day at HRH, including outpatients, inpatients, nursing homes, ASU and the Emergency Department.
The Lab is equipped with an Axio Zeiss microscope which was purchased by the Foundation. This microscope allows 10X, 50X and 100X oil immersion to view/count blood smear slides. An internal camera allows for a picture of a smear to be sent to the HRH consulting Dahl Chase Pathologist immediately online.
HRH Lab is affiliated with the U.M.P.I. MLT program and teaches a student on site each spring semester. All technical areas are taught by the Laboratory supervisors in each department. Many of our current employees are graduates of this program.