The Laboratory Medicine Department at KIMSHEALTH, Kollam runs a modern well-equipped lab with advanced instruments. This lab carries out millions of tests.

It offers key services: Chemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Microbiology and Histopathology. You should choose the Laboratory Medicine Department at KIMSHEALTH, Kollam because:

• NABL-accredited Expertise: The department trusted for its quality since 2008, meets ISO 15189:2022 standards. It works with top institutions like AIIMS and CMC Vellore to maintain quality checks through external assurance programs.
• Wide range of testing in multiple fields: It offers advanced testing in areas like biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, molecular biology, serology and histopathology. These tests help in making accurate diagnoses and better clinical decisions.
• Cutting-edge Tech and Always-on Services: With automated analysers built to international standards, the lab provides precise reports with fast turnaround times and operates round the clock to serve patients anytime.
• Skilled Professionals and Well-trained Team: The staff comes with specialised skills and thorough training making the department dependable for high-quality diagnostic work. A group of skilled pathologists, microbiologists, biochemists and experienced technicians works together to provide trustworthy and patient-focused lab services.

Treatments and Services provided by the Department of Laboratory Medicine at KIMSHEALTH, Kollam

1. Histopathology and Cytopathology

• Regular surgical and cytopathology services.
• Special biopsies like bone marrow, liver, renal, skin, and transplant.
• DIF (Direct Immunofluorescence) tests to assess renal and skin biopsies.
• Immunohistochemistry tests using an antibody panel of over 110.
• Frozen sections for diagnosing during surgeries.
• Liquid-based (ThinPrep) cytology to screen for cervical cancer.
• Foetal autopsies under perinatal pathology procedures.

2. Clinical Biochemistry

• Handles over 100 different parameters with over 6000 tests conducted daily
• Measures osmolality
• Conducts sweat chloride tests using pilocarpine iontophoresis to detect cystic fibrosis
• Performs protein separation tests with electrophoresis
• Analyses serum for immunotyping
• Carries out drug level tests, including Tacrolimus, Cyclosporin, Methotrexate, Vancomycin, Phenytoin, Digoxin and Valproic acid
• Offers first-trimester screenings combined with preeclampsia checks
• Performs urine tests to identify the presence of 12 different drugs among substances abused
• Conducts hormone level testing such as Growth hormone and IGF-1

3. Clinical Microbiology & Molecular Biology

• Bacteriology
• Conducts culture tests and checks antibiotic sensitivity on over 7000 samples each month.
• Uses the VITEK system to automate microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests.
• Detects microbes in blood and body fluids using the BACT/ALERT 3D system.
• Studies in Infectious Virology and Serology
• Conducts over 11,000 tests to screen for infectious diseases
• Handles more than 3,500 immune serology tests every month
• Processes over 500 IIFT tests, including ANA, ANCA and neuroimmunology-related tests
• Performs over 1,000 allergy tests each month
• Completes 250 immunoblot assays monthly
• Uses ELISA methods to detect autoimmune and infectious markers
• Provides TB Gold Plus [IGRA] testing to diagnose latent TB
• Runs TB culture tests with MGIT 320 and is the only private NABL-certified TB lab in South Kerala
• Advanced Molecular Diagnostics
• RT-PCR (both open and closed setups) to detect infectious diseases
• Truenat, GeneXpert, QIAstat, and BioFire to perform multiplex PCR
• IIFT panels designed to analyse autoimmune and neuroimmunology conditions

4. Clinical Haematology

• Perform complete blood counts including reticulocyte count and RET-He.
• Conduct coagulation tests like PT-INR, APTT, fibrinogen levels and thrombin time.
• Carry out assays to measure coagulation factors.
• Screen to identify thrombophilia using tests for Protein C, Protein S and Antithrombin III.
• Use capillary electrophoresis to detect haemoglobin disorders.
• Test platelet function through light transmittance aggregometry.
• Examine routine samples like urine and stool.
• Do rapid malaria tests for quick diagnosis.
• Analyse urine with a Sysmex automated system.

5. General Laboratory Services

• Blood samples collected using a closed system
• Round-the-clock laboratory services with pathologists and technicians available on call
• Rigorous internal quality control and regular equipment calibration
• External quality assurance programs with institutions like CMC Vellore, AIIMS, Euroimmun, Bio-Rad, RML, and NCG
• Phlebotomy services offered at multiple KIMSHEALTH, Kollam centres

Advanced Equipment

The Laboratory Medicine Department at KIMSHEALTH, Kollam uses a wide range of instruments, including equipment for:

1. Histopathology and Cytopathology:

• Histocore PEGASUS Tissue Processor – Handles the simultaneous processing of up to 400 cassettes
• VENTANA Roche Benchmark Gx IHC / ISH – Functions as an automated stainer for immunohistochemistry
• LEICA Cryostat 1860 UV & 1850 UV – Used to create frozen sections
• Semi-automated Microtome (Leica Multicut) – Designed to cut tissue sections
• Tissue Embedders & Cold Plates – To embed tissue into paraffin
• Automated H&E Stainer – Stains as many as 300 slides in one go
• ThinPrep System (Liquid-Based Cytology) – Helps to screen for cervical cancer

2. Clinical Biochemistry Equipment

• Cobas PRO & PURE – These are modular chemistry analysers managed entirely by software.
• Cobas C 501 – This is an automated analyser for chemistry tests.
• Biomerieux Vidas – It serves as an analyser for immunology and immunoassays.
• Biorad Variant & D10 – These systems use HPLC to estimate HbA1c levels.
• Vapro Osmometer – Used to measure osmolality.
• Nanoduct – Used to analyse sweat chloride levels useful in cystic fibrosis detection.
• Sebia Electrophoresis System – Used in serum protein electrophoresis testing.

3. Microbiology, Serology & Molecular Biology Equipment

a. Bacteriology

• VITEK – This system helps identify microbes and determines their antibiotic resistance.
• BACT/ALERT 3D System – This device detects microbes in blood and other fluids using automated methods.

b. Serology / Testing for Infectious Diseases

• VITROS 3600 Immunodiagnostic System (2 units) – This is an automated platform designed to handle virology and immunoassay testing.
• EUROIMMUN Analyser I-2P – Uses automated ELISA technology to test for autoimmune and infectious diseases.
• VIDAS Multiparametric Immunoanalyser – Operates with ELFA technology for multiple parameter analysis.
• ELISA Reader & Washer (Manual) – Utilised to run and process open ELISA tests.
• EURO STAR III PLUS Fluorescent Microscope – Applied to perform IIFT tests like ANA, ANCA, and studies in neuroimmunology.
• Dynex DSX-2 – Designed for conducting the TB Gold Plus test, an IGRA-based method.

c. Autoimmune and Allergy Testing

• Euroblot One – A system that automates immunoblot processing designed to handle autoimmune panels
• Phadia 250 – A flexible immunoassay machine used for allergy testing

d. Mycobacteriology

• BD MGIT 320 – An automated system for TB culture
• Biosafety Cabinet (Class II B2) – Used to work with infectious samples

e. Molecular Biology

• Level II B2 Biosafety Cabinets – Used to handle PCR samples
• Laminar Flow Hoods – Maintain a clean space to prepare samples
• Zybio Extractor + QuantStudio 5 – Open platform RT-PCR system
• Truenat – RT-PCR system that runs on chips
• Cepheid GeneXpert – RT-PCR system using cartridges
• QIASTAT & BioFire – Analysers used to run multiplex PCR tests

4. Haematology and Clinical Pathology Tools

• Sysmex XN 1000 – A machine for automated blood analysis
• Stago Compact Max 3 – A device that runs coagulation tests
• Sysmex Automated Urine Analyser – A system to diagnose urine samples
• Stago TA-4V Thromboaggregometer – A tool to test platelet activity and clumping
• Capillary Electrophoresis System – A method used to identify haemoglobin disorders
• Flow Cytometry