Pathology at SKMCH&RC, Lahore
The Pathology Laboratory at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore consists of the Anatomical and Clinical Pathology sections including Blood Bank. With its comprehensive test menu, more than 6 million tests and procedures are performed every year. Both the Laboratory and Blood Bank are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a dedicated team of internationally trained consultant pathologists.
OUR EXPERTISE
For the convenience of our patients, laboratory test results can be accessed online on our website or via mobile application. Test results remain with us indefinitely as a result of our advanced patient data management systems.
Our modern laboratory facility has a robust quality assurance and patient safety programme. The high standards of the Shaukat Khanum Pathology Laboratory and ongoing pursuit of excellence are evidenced by the laboratory’s registration with the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for proficiency testing sustaining successful results over the last many years. The laboratory is also ISO 9001:2015 certified, JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited and certified by the PHC (Punjab Healthcare Commission), including Blood Bank certification from Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA). The reliability and dependability of the laboratory is evident from its ever-increasing workload and demand for tests.
The laboratory’s dedicated team of highly qualified clinical laboratory technologists, assisted by a team of foreign qualified pathology consultants, is central to our commitment to continuous quality improvement serving the nation 24/7. A combined commitment to quality and service is magnified by the talent and expertise of our staff.
Anatomical Pathology
The Anatomical Pathology division, the heart of the Pathology Department, provides surgical pathology and cytopathology services. A close liaison exists between pathologists and treating physicians in order to optimise patient care.
Clinical Pathology
Routine Chemistry: The Routine Chemistry section is equipped with state-of-the-art chemistry analyzers. Clinical chemistry is primarily concerned with biochemical analysis of a wide range of biological samples for diagnosis and monitoring of patients. The section is involved in investigative and clinical research activities.
Special Chemistry: The Special Chemistry section offers a vast menu of specialised tests and immunology using the latest analyzers and equipment.
Blood Bank: A full service Blood Bank is available. Each donor or donated blood sample is screened for major infectious diseases. The Blood Bank is also equipped with top-of-the-line apheresis machines, allowing us to separate the blood component and perform therapeutic apheresis.
Haematology and Coagulation: This section is one of the vital components of the Pathology Laboratory. It is equipped with the latest differential analyzers which includes the measurement of nucleated RBC’s and auto-correcting the WBC count. The auto-stainer, manages to create peripheral smears in minutes for manual assessment.
For coagulation studies, a coagulation analyzer performs a complete profile from PT/INR, APTT and clotting factor assays.
Other tests offered in haematology include haemoglobin electrophoresis and dedicated bone marrow evaluation service.
Flow Cytometry: The section is equipped with a multi-colour flow cytometry machine, offering complete immune-phenotyping for leukaemia and lymphoma patients on blood, bone marrow aspirate, body fluids and solid tissue.
Diagnostic tests for CD4 and CD8 subset quantitation are also offered.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology: The Microbiology section provides bacteriology, mycology and urinalysis services used in diagnosis, therapy and management of infectious diseases including cultures and drug susceptibility testing. The section is equipped with automated blood culture systems. There is a dedicated TB lab for the detection of MTB and sensitivity testing. Food, water and environmental testing are also offered.
The Molecular Biology section offers PCR-based assays for early detection of viral infections including hepatitis C, hepatitis B, Corona Virus, HIV and gene mutations (KRAS, BRAF, EGFR, IDH1 ETC. The section also offers HLA typing, post-transplant STR chimerism, BRCA1/2 gene analysis and FISH testing for diagnosis and prognostication of different cancers.
Medical Cytogenetics: The Medical Cytogenetics section of the laboratory offers chromosomal analysis for patients suffering from cancer and/or congenital disorders. Analysis of chromosomes is also performed for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment outcomes of vast variety of haematological disorders such as leukaemia, lymphomas, myelomas etc. The lab also performs fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect specific chromosome abnormalities.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR PHYSICIANS
The Department of Pathology conducts a one year Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Medical Laboratory Technology in Clinical Pathology.
The Faculty comprises of pathologists, molecular biologists, microbiologists and senior medical technologists.
The Department of Pathology is recognised by CPSP for residency training in histopathology, microbiology and haematopathology.
Hospital based one-year fellowship training programme is available in cytopathology and surgical pathology.
STUDENT ELECTIVES
The electives programme at the Department of Pathology aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of medical laboratory technology in clinical and anatomical pathology settings. The programme involves a coordinated combination of short rotations, to provide exposure to several subspecialty areas within the pathology department so that students acquire an integrated understanding of the role of pathologists, medical laboratory technologists, laboratory information systems, in medical and surgical diagnosis, and management. The cumulative effect will be a representative introduction to elements of surgical pathology, molecular pathology, cytopathology, microbiology, haematology, blood bank, immunology, clinical chemistry and informatics.