"Instructions for Collecting a Urine Sample for testing"

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The microslide technology in clinical chemistry

We at the Department of Pathology and Microbiology at Breach Candy Hospital Trust use the patented Microslide and Microtip Technology for Clinical Chemistry testing. The Microslide Technology is designed to help the lab confidently and efficiently producing clinical chemistry results with very short turn around times (TAT). This technology eliminates contamination risks of traditional water based system.

Benefits and features of our system

• The Microtip Technology –the disposable, single use microtip design increases confidence in results by eliminating carryover of the patients samples thereby improving specificity of the test result
• The MIcroslide Technology –A unique feature of the Microslide system is that technology has a four layered slide, the upper spreading layer of which takes care of the smaple interferences like hemolysis, icterus and turbidity which alters patient results significantly.
• In addition, in the micro slide technology, certain assays like the creatinine are analyzed by the enzymatic method which itself ensures higher accuracy of results.
• The Microsensor Technology- Our system has the patented HIT technology which automatically flags hemolysis, icterus and turbidity for every sample. Thus there is quantitative criteria to reject samples rather than a subjective one .
• Intellicheck Technology- Our system also has the intellicheck technology which automatically detects clots, bubbles and alerts technicians about inadequate samples and viscosity .

Quality control practices at our lab

As per International recommendations, we follow stringent quality control in the department by analyzing internal controls daily. We are also take part in external proficiency testing with BIORAD laboratories (USA) and College Of American Pathologists USA. This practice helps us maintain the quality of patient reporting up to the level of Six Sigma.

A strong well established laboratory quality assurance programme with strict daily two level internal quality control checks as well as monthly external quality control checks with international and national comparison is the core to the functioning of the department. Presence of the “Random Access” mode in most of our instruments allows ensuring minimum turnaround time (TAT) as samples can be processed one at a time instead of batch processing. The laboratory has the provision of standby equipments to prevent any delays in sample processing in case of technical breakdowns. Instruments are bi-directionally interfaced to improve workflow, reduce errors and prompt reporting to the clinical team.

Biochemistry:

The department has high end fully automated instruments like Fusion 5.1 from Ortho Clinical Diagnostics which have both Dry Chemistry as well as turbidmetric technology for routine and special tests like ApoA, ApoB, Lp(a), Homocysteine, HbA 1c, Micro Albumin etc. Accurex Photometer is used to perform specialized rare tests like C3, C4, IgA, IgG, IgM, ADA, SACE, Acid Phosphatase etc. For blood gas analysis, the latest instrument of Radiometer 800 .A fully automated Interlab G26 electrophoresis instrument is used for serum electrophoresis and Immunofixation .

Immunology:

For immunodiagnosis the latest available instruments Vitros 3600 and Vitros ECI-Q, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, are used. This technology is based on the principle of enhanced chemiluminescence. Tests like Tumor Markers, Hormones, HIV, Hepatitis Markers etc., are being performed on this instrument with accurate results. We also have VIDAS (Biomeriux), which uses the ELFA principle, especially for HIV DUO, TORCH IgG & IgM, Rota Virus, C-difficile, IgE, etc.

A fully automated ELISA processor (CHORUS) is available for special tests and autoimmune markers like Mycoplasma antibodies, Anti Glomerular Antibodies, ENA Profile, P -ANCA & C- ANCA, Anti Cardiolipin Antibodies, Anti Thyroid Antibodies, dsDNA etc.. In addition to this, the Department is equipped with a “research grade” fluorescent and phase contrast microscope for performing some special Immunoflourescent based markers like ANA and ASMA.

Newborn screening for Galactosemia, Phenylketonuria, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Hypothyroidism and Biotinidase deficiency is also performed in the laboratory for early detection of metabolic disorders in the newborn. These tests are done using the dried blood spot method from a heel prick to support healthy development of the baby and prevent irreversible damages.

Microbiology:

Automated continuous monitoring blood culture systems, BACTEC FX(400) is used for blood and sterile body fluid cultures. The Vitek 2 Compact for identification and susceptibility system is used for bacteria and fungi. The results are obtained in the form of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), which is of great advantage to clinicians from the therapeutic point of view. For T.B. culture MGIT 960 (currently approved technique by WHO & US FDA) is used. In addition to this, the department has the GeneXpert system , a novel bench top real time PCR system for detection of TB and resistance to Rifampicin . We have also recently acquired , Biofire a film array based on Syndromic approach to diagnose a variety of infections of the respiratory tract, Gastrointestinal tract & the central nervous system. The advantage of both our molecular assay systems is the fast turn around time with availability of results within 12 hours.

The Microbiology team is also actively involved in Hospital Infection Control.

Please click here to view Path Profiles

The microslide technology in clinical chemistry

We at the Department of Pathology and Microbiology at Breach Candy Hospital Trust use the patented Microslide and Microtip Technology for Clinical Chemistry testing. The Microslide Technology is designed to help the lab confidently and efficiently producing clinical chemistry results with very short turn around times (TAT). This technology eliminates contamination risks of traditional water based system.

Benefits and features of our system

• The Microtip Technology –the disposable, single use microtip design increases confidence in results by eliminating carryover of the patients samples thereby improving specificity of the test result
• The MIcroslide Technology –A unique feature of the Microslide system is that technology has a four layered slide, the upper spreading layer of which takes care of the smaple interferences like hemolysis, icterus and turbidity which alters patient results significantly.
• In addition, in the micro slide technology, certain assays like the creatinine are analyzed by the enzymatic method which itself ensures higher accuracy of results.
• The Microsensor Technology- Our system has the patented HIT technology which automatically flags hemolysis, icterus and turbidity for every sample. Thus there is quantitative criteria to reject samples rather than a subjective one .
• Intellicheck Technology- Our system also has the intellicheck technology which automatically detects clots, bubbles and alerts technicians about inadequate samples and viscosity .

Quality control practices at our lab

As per International recommendations, we follow stringent quality control in the department by analyzing internal controls daily. We are also take part in external proficiency testing with BIORAD laboratories (USA) and College Of American Pathologists USA. This practice helps us maintain the quality of patient reporting up to the level of Six Sigma.