Laboratory
The laboratories department is one of the technical departments that support’s the medical services in Adan hospital by providing laboratory services to the in-patients, and to residents of the Al Ahmadi Health region. The Laboratory Department performs all laboratory tests that help the treating physician to reach a diagnose and follow up on various pathological conditions.
The medical laboratories department consists of many specialized laboratories units such as, the reception unit, the Phlebotomy unit, the Hematology unit, the Blood bank unit, the Clinical Chemistry unit, the Microbiology unit, the Virology unit, and The Histopathology and Cytology unit. These departments has a highly qualified medical and technical staff certified in clinical pathology and laboratory sciences, with professional experience to carry out the required laboratory investigations.
All the laboratory procedures are carried out in the department through three stages, pre-analytical stage, analytical, and post-analytical stage.
The reception unit identifies the patients and the requested laboratory tests then enter it in the laboratory information system. Then the staff directs patient to the phlebotomy rooms to take the sample. The reception unit also receives samples from different sites in the hospital, such as clinics, wards and from the laboratories of primary health care centers, they then distribute them to the various laboratory units inside and outside the hospital according to the types of investigations required.
In the Phlebotomy unit, the technician welcomes the patient and then must check patient identity. Then he will check for the requested laboratory tests to prepare proper tubes for the blood investigations.
The Hematology Unit and the Blood Bank are considered one of the main units in the Laboratories Department, in which blood components are studied and blood diseases are detected. One of the most important analyzes in this unit is the analysis of the total count of blood cells and components, the differential analysis of white blood cells, the analysis of the number of retinal cells, and the detection analysis For sickle cells, hemoglobin electrophoresis analysis, measurement of bleeding time and the level of different blood clotting factors. The hematology unit also performs a bone marrow examination.
The blood bank provides blood units for patients who are in need for blood transfusion, after carrying out the required tests to ensure the correct matching between the blood groups and antibodies for each of the patients and the blood to be transfused to them.
The biochemistry unit is one of the important and busiest units in the laboratories department, where hundreds of samples are processed per hour on daily basis. Examples of the tests performed are level of blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney functions parameters and liver functions parameters, in addition to measuring lipid profiles, vitamins and various minerals. The laboratory also conducts hormonal test levels and enzymes levels of different heart diseases. The unit also performs testing for levels of some therapeutic drugs in the blood, blood gases, and other important tests.
As for the microbiology unit, it performs various cultures of blood, different sterile body fluids, and swabs to identify different micro-organisms and bacteria that cause infectious diseases and sepsis. it also perform the required sensitivity tests for antibiotics to help the physician to choose the best treatment for patients. The laboratory also performs many advanced and rapid molecular tests for pulmonary samples, cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. Where the Microbiologists team collaborates with the medical team to diagnose cases of sepsis, meningitis, chest infections, etc., and provides medical consultations to choose the best patient management, especially in cases of multidrug resistant bacteria.
The Virology Unit is also constantly striving to develop and provide the best laboratory tests for the diagnosis of viral infections, using serological or molecular tests. The laboratory diagnoses influenza, COVID-19, and other viral respiratory infections. The virology unit also performs tests for the diagnosis of hepatitis viruses, HIV infection, human papilloma virus, herpes virus, and other viral infections.
The Histopathology and Cytology units are equipped with most advance machines to provides a wide variety of tests for the diagnosis of several pathological diseases and tumors. These examinations performed by laboratory doctor who are specializes in anatomical pathology. The process begins when the tissues samples are received, then a specialized technologist prepare the required stains and markers for microscopic examination of the slides by the doctors who will issue a final report for the treating physician.
The laboratory is constantly working to provide the best advanced medical equipment and new tests ,as required by the hospital physicians. The laboratory also, maintain the optimal function of the machines by performing routine maintenance periodically with the medical engineering workshop in the hospital.
The most important goals in the laboratory department is to provide the best medical services by providing the most accurate laboratory analysis and monitoring quality in the laboratory.
The quality control of the laboratory tests in the department is carried out by a specialized quality control team to set the work guidelines and policies for all departments. The team then follow up the results with the quality control samples, from external quality control samples, internal quality control samples, and quality samples from laboratory devices, that are provided by the manufacturer. The laboratory quality team also periodically follows up the quality indicators of laboratory tests to incite the provision of the highest possible accuracy and quality of laboratory tests.
The laboratory department work as one team, always strives to raise the level of laboratory service through the continuous improvement of work standards and the provision of all elements of success in the department.
To be one of the best laboratory departments in Kuwait hospitals, which provides the best advanced medical laboratory services to all patients in the Al Ahmadi region
Provide high quality laboratory services in a timely, accurate and efficient manner for patient care in a safe and supportive work environment.
Teamwork, Respect, Safety, Communication, Responsibility.