Laboratory Department
Overview
It is the “backbone” of the healthcare sector; medical testing holds a core role in helping doctors diagnose, prognose, and develop treatment protocols. To correctly identify diseases, besides examination, patients need to undergo tests and perform clinical laboratory techniques. Therefore, behind each successfully treated case at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City is the silent contribution of doctors and technicians in the Laboratory Department who work diligently with the spirit “Accuracy – Reliability – Timeliness” on each specimen. The daily tasks of the doctors and technicians of the Laboratory Department at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City include welcoming patients, receiving doctors’ orders, collecting specimens for testing, performing routine and emergency tests for an average of 8,000 patients per day.
Strength
The Laboratory Department carries out testing services upon patients' request and clinical doctors' orders, including biochemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology, molecular biology tests and specialized tests such as transplant immunology, molecular screening for cancer, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases… using an automated, high‑throughput analysis system to achieve rapid, accurate, reliable results that meet the international standard ISO 15189:2022.
To ensure accuracy in test results, the Laboratory Department applies a quality management system throughout the entire testing process, including pre‑, intra‑, and post‑testing phases:
Apply internal quality control system and standard operating procedures (SOP): Biochemistry - Hematology - Microbiology Immunology - Molecular Biology.
Apply quality management system according to the international standard ISO 15189:2022 to ensure test results are always accurate.
Implement continuous quality improvement system and risk management.
Participate in domestic and international external quality assessment programs such as EQAS, RIQAS, Serology NRL EQAS, CAP, the Standardization Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Standardization Center of Hanoi Medical University. Evaluated annually by external bodies including the Ministry of Health and the Quality Accreditation Agency (BOA).
Training & Research
To ensure patients receive comprehensive treatment with the highest quality medical services, the Laboratory Department continuously standardizes, researches, and develops across three areas: Professional – Research – Teaching in a synchronized and practical manner. In scientific research, the department leads and conducts many scientific research projects at the Ministry level, the Ho Chi Minh City Science and Technology Department level, and at the institutional level for developing new testing technologies. Many of the department’s scientific research projects are highly regarded by professionals, such as studies on gene mutations in cancer diseases, genetic disorders, research on antibiotic treatment in septicemia, infectious diseases… Staff in the Department are encouraged to participate in scientific research activities to enhance their expertise.
Regarding training, the department continuously implements training programs at the hospital and internal training for staff, develops continuous training programs according to hospital standards, the laboratory specialty, and international associations for clinical doctors, pre‑clinical doctors, laboratory technicians, and nurses. All staff are evaluated annually, ensuring 48 training hours continuously over 2 years. Staff are provided with training programs, participating in domestic and international training programs and conferences. As one of the first units aiming for a 5‑star standard of the Laboratory Quality Assessment Criteria, the Laboratory Department supports professional and quality management consulting toward ISO 15189 accreditation for provincial and district hospitals.
The department continuously implements training programs at the hospital and internal training for staff, develops continuous training programs according to hospital standards, the laboratory specialty, and international associations for clinical doctors, pre‑clinical doctors, laboratory technicians, and nurses.
All staff are evaluated annually, ensuring 48 training hours continuously over 2 years. Staff are provided with training programs, participating in domestic and international training programs and conferences. As one of the first units aiming for a 5‑star standard of the Laboratory Quality Assessment Criteria, the Laboratory Department supports professional and quality management consulting toward ISO 15189 accreditation for provincial and district hospitals.
The department participates as a lead and implements many scientific research projects at the Ministry level, Ho Chi Minh City Science and Technology Department level, and institutional level for developing new testing technologies. Many of the department’s scientific research projects are highly regarded by professionals, such as studies on gene mutations in cancer diseases, genetic disorders, research on antibiotic treatment in septicemia, infectious diseases… Staff in the department are encouraged to engage in scientific research activities to enhance their expertise.
Staff
Laboratory work today not only helps doctors accurately diagnose diseases for timely treatment but also can early predict risks by detecting diseases early. In fact, there are test results that have been regarded as gold standards helping doctors make correct decisions, bringing effectiveness in treatment and functional rehabilitation for patients. To ensure operational quality, the Laboratory Department focuses on investing in human factors with a workforce of doctors, laboratory technicians with high professional qualifications, understanding modern laboratory equipment and continuously updating many new techniques worldwide.
