Laboratories

MHD Laboratory Well Recognized at 2007 APHL Annual Meeting & First State Environmental Laboratory Conference
MHD Laboratory scientists were recognized for their excellent research and selected to present the laboratory findings at the 2007 Annual APHL meeting in Jacksonville, FL.  Congratulations to all on this recognition!  Please click on the poster names below to look at them.

 Rapid Detection of Enteroviruses in sewage specimens by Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT) PCR for Enhanced Viral Surveillance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
David Bina, Gerald Sedmak, Steve Gradus, Sanjib Bhattacharyya

 A Randomized Controlled Study to Identify the Allergen Concentrations  in Homes of Children with Asthma in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Elizabeth Zembrowski, Jean Wendt, Jean Wojnar, Amy Murphy, Steve Gradus, Sanjib Bhattacharyya

Innovative Laboratory Method Curbs Health Hazard
Scientists at the MHD laboratory presented their innovative work method to detect low lead levels in a seasoning salt, entitled  Lead in Seasoning Salt, at the 2006 Pittsburgh Conference of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy in Orlando, FL.  To read more about this accomplishment on APHL's web site, click here.  Congratulations to Ben Hui & Steve Gradus on this recognition! 

Past APHL Conferences
Steve Gradus, Mark Zemke, Ben Jones, John Tranetzki, and Jeff Hussinger presented a poster entitled  Electronic Automated Laboratory Reporting of Communicable Disease & Environmental Laboratory Results to Multiple Programs and Locations by the Milwaukee Public Health Laboratory at the 2005 APHL/CDC Emerging Infectious Disease Conference. The Laboratory Information System (LIS) has greatly enhanced the operational efficiency and information services of the Milwaukee Public Health Laboratory. The LIS auto-reports, daily and sometimes hourly, to a variety of locations and programs (local to international). Online look up capability (over 500,000 laboratory results) allows real-time intervention by investigators. Additionally, the laboratory electronically transmits reports such as seasonal disease trends and outbreak investigation data to the medical community.

Mission Statement "To assist the Department in guarding the public health by providing quality laboratory services for monitoring acute and chronic diseases and the environment through assessment, surveillance, epidemiology and dissemination of information"

Vision Statement "To continue to provide quality service, to both internal and external customers of our public health laboratory in response to dynamic epidemiological variables and to be responsive to the changing demands of the health community" Vision Statement     Vision Statement

Laboratory Description 28 Employees 22 Laboratory Scientists / Technologists 3 Sections: Microbiology - Virology - Chemistry 110,000 Specimens = 325,000 Tests Annually CLIA Certified Specific Environmental Certifications by the State of Wisconsin

History Since 1874 Click on the image for a history of the City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory.

Contact Us Contact Us

General Testing Information  Call the laboratory at 414-286-3526, FAX: 414-286-5098 for any information regarding appropriate specimen collection and transport: Test results are only as good as the quality of the specimen received. Many microbiological, virological, and chemical tests are available. delivery                 Normal laboratory hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday - Friday.  In most cases, specimens should be submitted by 2:00 p.m. for same day processing.  For emergency processing, please call in advance so arrangements can be made with a supervisor.     The lab is staffed 365 days per year, but has limited staffing weekends and holidays.  Delivery of specimens to the lab on weekends and holidays should be PRE-ARRANGED IF POSSIBLE.  Please call the lab to arrange  Specimen Submission Information Specimen submission forms are available from the laboratory. Please call when needed. Please note on specimen submission forms (i.e. test requisition) any delay in the transport of specimens. Knowledge of this information will direct appropriate test "setup" and more accurate interpretation of test results. Test Requistions may be obtained in PDF format by clicking on the names.  Microbiology Requisition  Virology Requisition If an outbreak is suspected, the laboratory can assist with appropriate test selection, collection and transport information. In addition to clinical specimens, Environmental, Food, Dairy, Water, and Air testing are available for public health needs. NOTE: For optimal recovery of micro-organisms, specimens should be processed within 2 hrs. of collection.