Laboratory Medicine

Overview

The Department of Laboratory Medicine at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital offers world-class diagnostic support to patients and doctors alike through accurate and timely blood and tissue tests, histochemical and genetic analysis, and secure blood banking for transfusions.

Our National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and College of American Pathologists (CAP) certified laboratory medicine department comprises highly experienced pathologists, microbiologists, histopathologists, geneticists, medical technologists, genetic counsellors, and support staff who work collaboratively to ensure accurate reporting, with special focus on rapid turn-around times, efficiency, clinical precision, and modern automation with lean principles.

We aim to provide high-quality and cost-effective pathology and laboratory services that help doctors care for you better. Our experts stay in close connect with your doctors, helping them make informed treatment decisions by interpreting test results and seeking additional clinical inputs when needed.

Our Services
Technology & Infrastructure
Academics

Our advanced laboratory offers a wide range of tests that help diagnose, treat, and monitor health conditions. Our key services include:

Tissue and Cancer Diagnostics
We analyse tissue and cell samples to help detect cancers, organ diseases, and infections:
- Histopathology and cytopathology: Examines tissue and cell samples to detect diseases, including cancer.
- Frozen section laboratory: Provides quick tissue analysis during surgeries.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses special stains to identify disease markers in tissue.
- Renal and liver pathology: Focused testing of kidney and liver tissue to guide treatment.
- Electron microscopy: Provides detailed imaging of cells for rare or complex cases.
- Predictive and other cancer biomarker testing: Predictive biomarker testing (e.g., HER2 for breast cancer, PD-L1 for immunotherapy selection) guides targeted treatment.

Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology
These diagnostic tests assess hormone levels, organ function, and allergies:
- Prenatal screening (dual and quadruple markers) using LifeCycle software: Assesses risk of chromosomal conditions in unborn babies.
- Newborn screening: For early detection of rare but serious conditions in newborns.
- Heavy and trace metals (11 elements): Measures harmful or essential metals in the body.
- Serum protein electrophoresis and immunotyping: Detects abnormal proteins related to immune and bone disorders.
- Food intolerance test: Identifies over 215 food analytes for patients with chronic gastrointestinal or skin symptoms.
- Allergy panels (comprehensive, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, dust; total 51 allergens): Tests for common allergens affecting daily life.
- Calculi (stone) analysis: Identifies stone type to help prevent future kidney stones.

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
We diagnose and guide treatment for infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms using:
- Bacteriology and virology: Detects bacterial and viral infections through cultures and rapid tests.
- Hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology and molecular testing: Screens and monitors serious viral infections.
- Serology for infectious diseases: Uses blood tests to detect antibodies for infections.
- Mycobacteriology (Tuberculosis): Detects tuberculosis and related infections.
- Mycology and parasitology: Identifies fungal and parasitic infections.

Blood Disorders and Immune Testing (Haematology)
These are tests performed to diagnose blood cancers and immune system problems:
- Blood cell analysis and coagulation testing: To check blood counts and clotting ability.
- Flow cytometry: To analyse immune cells and detect blood cancers or autoimmune conditions.
- Molecular testing for blood disorders: Identifies genetic changes in blood diseases for accurate diagnosis.

Molecular and Genetic Testing
We use DNA/RNA analysis to detect infections, inherited conditions, and guide personalised treatments using:
- Clinical genomics sequencing and Molecular genetics: Detect inherited diseases and genetic mutations.
- Real-time PCR, Sanger, and next-gen sequencing (NGS): Use DNA/RNA tests for infections, cancer, and genetic disorders.
We also offer specialized services:
- Transplant-related pathogen testing: Screens for infections before and after organ transplants.
- GeneXpert, BioFire, and FilmArray: Provide fast, accurate infection diagnosis from a single sample.
- Viral load testing (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis): Measures virus levels in the blood to guide treatment.

Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine
The blood bank is Food and Drug Administration licensed, registered with the State Blood Transfusion Council, and a member of the Federation of Blood Banks.
Know more

Digital Pathology
We use advanced scanners to digitally analyse biopsy slides, improving speed, accuracy, and traceability for better patient outcomes. The digital pathology scanners can handle various tissue sample types, including those from solid tumours, biopsies, cytology specimens, and accommodate different specimen sizes, from small biopsy specimens to large tissue sections.

At the Department of Laboratory Medicine, we use advanced laboratory technologies to support precise and timely diagnosis, helping doctors provide the best care possible.

Dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay (DELFIA & AUTO DELFIA): Used for prenatal screening to assess the risk of genetic conditions in unborn babies.
DELFIA (Newborn Screening): Helps detect serious health conditions or disorders in newborns that need early treatment.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): Measures trace amounts of essential or toxic heavy metals in the body for health monitoring.
Capillary electrophoresis: Detects abnormal proteins in the blood to diagnose and monitor chronic illnesses.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR): Analyses kidney-stone composition (urine or stone sample) to guide recurrence prevention.
Microarray (Food Intolerance Test): Identifies foods that may trigger delayed immune reactions or discomfort.
Phadiatop (immunoCAP, fluoro-enzyme immunoassay): Screens for allergies by detecting IgE antibodies to common allergens like dust, food, and pollen.
Fluorescent platelets (platelet F): Accurately measures platelet counts, especially in patients with low platelet levels.
MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation – time of flight): Quickly identifies bacteria and fungi causing infections for faster treatment.
Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS): Detects rare diseases and genetic mutations for accurate diagnosis and personalised care.

In addition to providing high-quality diagnostic services, the Department of Laboratory Medicine also plays a key role in education. It offers residency training programs in Pathology & Microbiology (DNB) and internships in Clinical Laboratory Medicine, helping train the next generation of laboratory specialists.