Department of Pathology

Sengkang General Hospital's Department of Pathology offers a comprehensive range of clinical and diagnostic laboratory services, providing vital information to clinicians for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various diseases. Our team of expert pathologists and laboratory scientists works closely with clinical colleagues to ensure exceptional patient care. Policies and procedures are in accordance with current best practices and regulatory requirements, ensuring the highest quality of services.

Laboratory Tests Offered

The Department of Pathology uses state-of-the-art equipment to offer a comprehensive range of laboratory tests.

Sub-Specialities	Description	Test(s) Performed
Anatomical Pathology	Anatomical pathology is a field of medicine that focuses on studying organs and groups of cells within the body. It plays a crucial role when doctors take tissue samples from patients for analysis in a laboratory. Anatomical pathologists provide definitive diagnoses based on these samples, which helps clinicians give the most effective advice and treatment. There are two main subdivisions in anatomical pathology. Histopathology involves microscopic examination of samples taken from whole tissues, often enhanced by special staining techniques and associated tests. Cytopathology, or cytology, focuses on studying individual cells. It is used to diagnose various conditions and diseases.	Histopathology Routine surgical biopsies Frozen section Specialised biopsies such as Renal biopsies, Bone marrow trephine biopies, Gastrointestinal biopsies, Liver biopsies etc Immunofluorescence for renal and skin cases Immunohistochemistry Cytopathology Gynaecological Cytology (Conventional Cervical Pap Smear and Liquid-based Gynaecological Cytology) Non-Gynaecological Cytology (e.g., sputum, urines, peritoneal/ pleural fluid, lavages) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Identification of infections and associated organisms including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. Evaluation of joint aspirates
Body Fluids & Miscellaneous	Laboratory testing which involves different techniques, such as microscopic examination and chemical analysis, can be used on other body fluids besides blood. These methods offer additional insights to complement information from blood tests, leading to a better understanding of a patient's health. By examining various body fluids, healthcare professionals gain a more holistic view of the body's internal processes, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.	Urine Full Examination Microscopic Examination (UFEME) Urine Dipstick Analysis Urine Phase Contrast Microscopy Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis Pleural Fluid Analysis Peritoneal Fluid Analysis Synovial Fluid Analysis Dengue Screen (Antigen testing, IgG and IgM Screen) Helicobacter Pylori Rapid Screen Test
Blood Banking & Transfusion Medicine	The Blood Banking & Transfusion Medicine section provides various blood components like red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate, as well as, purified plasma-derived blood products. These are used for routine transfusions and emergency situations such as severe bleeding. The hospital keeps a ready supply of blood for emergencies. To ensure safe transfusions, the section provides round-the-clock testing, which includes determining blood types (like ABO and Rh), checking for antibodies that could affect transfusion safety, and testing compatibility between donor and patient blood. They also investigate transfusion reactions and perform specialised tests for complex conditions before sending samples to national reference laboratories. The hospital blood bank assists SKH Blood Transfusion Committee to oversee transfusion quality and safety through audits and quality monitoring.	ABO Grouping and RhD typing Red cell antibody screening Direct Coombs Test Cross Match Compatibility Testing Transfusion Reaction Workup Clotting Factor Provision Workflow for ROTEM-guided Coagulation Product Replacement Rapid blood delivery to critical care areas by hospital pneumatic tube system
Clinical Biochemistry	The Clinical Biochemistry section offers 24-hour services for analysing the biochemical components present in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids. This comprehensive service encompasses a diverse array of tests providing valuable insights into the physiological and pathological conditions of patients, all aimed at supporting clinicians in the accurate diagnosis and effective management of a wide spectrum of diseases.	Renal Function Tests Liver Function Tests Thyroid Function Tests Cardiac Markers Lipid Panel Anaemic Panel Tumour Markers Inflammatory Markers Hormones Blood Ketones Glucose Tolerance Test HbA1c Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Arterial Blood Gases HIV and Hepatitis Screen
Microbiology	The Microbiology section offers a 24/7 service for the diagnosis of clinically relevant acute and chronic infections. A wide range of assays spanning bacteriology and mycology are performed on a combination of automated platforms and manual systems, to provide a comprehensive infection science service. In addition, the laboratory offers microbial surveillance tests on both clinical and environmental samples.	Tests offered: Bacteriology (Microscopy, culture and susceptibility testing) Mycology (Identification for Candida species) Mycobacteriology (Microscopy) Sample types: Blood (in blood culture bottles) Fluid samples (both sterile and non-sterile sites) Tissue samples Respiratory tract samples Urine Stool Environmental samples Prosthetic devices (from sterile sites) Nosocomial infection screening
Haematology	The Haematology section plays a critical role by offering essential services such as routine analysis of blood cells, evaluating blood clotting functions, and screening for parasites that can be transmitted through the blood. These services are crucial for diagnosing various blood-related disorders and ensuring timely treatment.	Haematology Full blood count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Blood Film Report Blood for Malaria Parasite Blood for Microfilaria Reticulocyte Count Coagulation Prothrombin Time (PT) and INR Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) D-Dimer Test (Quantitative) Fibrinogen Test Thrombin Time (TT)
Molecular Diagnostics	The Molecular Diagnostics section offers routine and rapid molecular tests for the detection of a repertoire of infectious agents, monitoring of viral loads, and genotyping of viruses. In addition, the laboratory also offers tests for pharmacogenetics and oncogene mutations.	Candida auris PCR COVID-19 PCR CYP2C19 Genotyping Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel PCR Hepatitis B Virus PCR Hepatitis C Virus PCR HPV Genotyping MERS Coronavirus & Respiratory Panel PCR MRSA PCR Next-generation sequencing for tumour mutations Respiratory Panel Multiplex PCR

FAQs

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The turnaround time for test results can vary significantly depending on the specific tests requested for your sample. While some tests yield results within minutes, others may take several days. Certain tests may need to be sent to an external laboratory, extending the process to several weeks. Additionally, the interpretation of the results by your physician and any necessary consultations may also require additional time.

Once all the necessary testing has been conducted, fluid and tissue samples collected from patients are typically disposed after a designated timeframe.

Our Care Team

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