The Pathology section of Metropolis Health Services is as old as the organization. The last 27 years has seen this department, like our company, grow and set the standards for efficient service. Excellent facilities, sound infrastructure, experience, logistics capability…you name it, weve got it!
Facilities
Metropolis is the only corporate chain of diagnostic centers in India with 50 state-of-the-art-laboratories, and a presence in over 125 cities in India through its network of 350 franchisee and collection centers. The lab is open 24 hours / 365 days including Sundays.
Infrastructure
All our instruments are state-of-the-art with back up facility. Metropolis is the only organization in India which houses the largest Molecular Biology set up with all the 6 different Nucleic acid testing technologies (PCR, b-DNA, Hybrid Capture, TMA, Real time PCR and Cobas Amplicor). We use the golden reference technology for all critical referral tests such as Tuberculosis, HIV Testing, Hepatitis Testing, Immunohistochemistry / Genetics.
Experience
Over two decades of experience in processing 10 million tests per year with state of the art automated equipment, Metropolis is well equipped to cater to the requirements of any organization.
Quick Reports
Reports are also available online ensuring daily reporting and quick turnaround time.
Logistics Capability
Through many years of experience, we have developed a keen knowledge base on national logistics including preservation, transportation, packing and documentation for sample handling.
Quality
Services are provided through full automation, regular calibration and controls, standardized imported reagents, authorization by qualified pathologists. A crosschecking mechanism for result checking (while feeding, reporting, signing) is done to ensure that a wrong result never goes to a patient.
Pre-analytical factors can contribute to as high as 45% of total errors made by a pathology laboratory. We, at METROPOLIS, use effective Sample Management practises and well-organized pre-analytical systems to eliminate possible errors in test reports.
Our Lab Services Section has put into place, a detailed system of checks in the following areas:
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Accession
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Sample handling and labeling
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Sample collection
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Sample transport
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Sample dispatch to laboratory for analysis
Accession:
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A dedicated team of trained data entry operators carries out accessioning in LIS.
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Double-checking of data entry is done under supervision, which ensures zero errors in demographics and registration of sample.
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All the requisitions are stored in organized manner for reference.
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Number of accessions is restricted to 100 in 8 hour shift to ensure error free, quality work.
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Major collection/reference centers are directly connected through lease line for ease of accessioning and efficiency.
Sample handling and labeling:
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A dedicated team of technicians ensures checking of sample integrity, labeling and bar-coding.
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To ensure result reliability, acceptance and rejection of samples policies are well defined.
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As soon as accessioning is done, specific bar code for the patients sample is generated, which carries SID (Sample identification number) information.
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The software generates appropriate number of bar codes for each patient depending on the variety of containers required.
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The bar code label also contains patients name, date and time of collection, name of tests and type of container.
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The system ensures zero chance of wrong labeling.
Sample collection:
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We have a separate patient services section responsible for sample collection. This section is a group of well-trained experienced phlebotomists working under supervision of our Customer Care department.
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The main laboratory, peripheral laboratory and collection centers have uniform appearance, infrastructure and work instructions.
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We take care of patients privacy and comfort by carrying out entire activities of registration, history recording, sample collection, fees collection and discussion within collection room.
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The samples are collected in vacuum containers.
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Most of the blood collection material and devices required are disposable.
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We try to make blood collection a painless and trouble-free procedure.
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Extra care is taken for pediatric and difficult collections.
Sample transport:
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All the collection rooms, collection centers and reference centers carry a directory of METROPOLIS services, which details guidelines on sample collection, preparation, storage and transport.
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The most labile analytes like Ammonia, Semen and Bicarbonate are collected only at the main processing laboratory. Any other collected sample is not accepted.
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Other labile analytes like PTH, ACTH and HIV-RNA are transported in dry ice.
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All the regular samples are transported in cool gel packs in a temperature controlled thermacol box.
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To maintain integrity of samples the local samples are delivered within 3-4 hours and outstation samples within 8 to 24 hours using cargo or courier mode.
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Specific thermacol boxes have been designed for transport of samples that have special temperature requirements.
Sample preparation and storage:
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It is mandatory to carry out sample preparation activity as early as possible for efficiency and for maintenance of sample integrity.
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Serum/plasma is separated within 30 minutes.
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Critical/Labile samples like semen, ESR etc. are sent for analysis immediately.
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Necessary facilities have been given for storing samples at ambient, refrigeration or frozen (Up to -70C) levels.
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Based on the type of tests requested and depending on nature of analyte, the samples are stored from 4 days to 1 month. However, clinical trial samples are stored as per the requirement given by the sponsor.
Sample dispatch to laboratory for analysis:
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Samples are dispatched to analytical area through Automatic Pneumatics system.
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Each laboratory section is equipped with scanners for easy tracking of samples.
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The system is foolproof to ensure zero sample loss or misplacement.
All the results undergo three level of authorization following which the LIS software routes the information for printing.
Report generation
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A separate Report Section team is responsible for report generation.
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Automatic "All reports mode" ensures that reports that have undergone three levels of authorization are selected for printing.
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The physical copies carry patients demographics in detail, reference details, test information, results of analysis and digital signature of the pathologist who has finally authorized the report.
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The layout of the reports ensures easy comprehension.
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The physical copies are reviewed before putting them into envelopes.
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These report envelopes are sorted according to reference for dispatch.
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Each report carries specific bar code for easy tracking.
Report dispatch
The reports are delivered through various modes:
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All the franchisee and outstation reference center reports are uploaded on web. They become accessible within 20 minutes of final authorization.
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In selected cases, the outstation reports are sent through courier.
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Remote printing" mode is used by major collection centers.
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In-house courier team efficiently delivers local reference centers reports.
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Appropriate log of report dispatch and delivery is maintained.
Though Metropolis group of laboratories carries out most of the super-specialized investigations in India, it has tie-ups with a few reputed reference laboratories and hospitals in the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Seychelles. These partnerships have helped Metropolis reach out to more people, providing accuracy and achieving results that make a difference.
Metropolis is also exploring the possibility of ventures in Malaysia, Thailand, Africa and UK while also considering the possibility of outsourcing from the U.S and UK.
