Department of Chemical Pathology at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria
Can you tell us about your lab and the services you provide?
The Chemical Pathology laboratory at UNTH is a public clinical laboratory situated within a tertiary health institution. UNTH is a teaching hospital with a capacity of over 500 beds and a broad range of specialties. Our lab provides clinical and research services not only to the hospital's patients but also to clients outside the institution. Additionally, we play an essential role in the training of healthcare professionals.
Some of the key services provided by our laboratory include routine chemistry tests such as liver function tests, renal function tests, cardiac markers, lipid profile tests, and diabetic studies. We also conduct various endocrine studies, including thyroid function tests, reproductive hormonal assays, and tumor markers. In addition, we perform specialized tests like serum protein electrophoresis, blood gas analysis, and dynamic function endocrine tests.
The department is led by Dr. Ifeyinwa Nnakenyi, a Consultant Chemical Pathologist who serves as the Head of Department (HOD) and Laboratory Director. Our team is made up of three other Consultant Chemical Pathologists, six Registrars, 45 Medical Laboratory Scientists, eight Laboratory Technicians, and four Laboratory Assistants. On average, our laboratory processes approximately 2,500 samples each month.
Q: Is your lab accredited, and are you working towards accreditation?
A: At this moment, our laboratory is not accredited to the ISO 15189 standard. However, we are actively working towards achieving this important accreditation and are focused on sustaining this milestone once it is obtained.
Q: What are the main challenges your lab faces?
A: Our laboratory faces several challenges, some of which are common to many healthcare facilities in our region. One of the primary challenges is that some of our laboratory processes are still manual and rely on outdated equipment, even though we continue to produce accurate results. Another significant issue is the unreliable power supply, which can affect the functioning of sensitive laboratory equipment. Additionally, the high maintenance costs for our automated lab equipment are a financial strain. We also occasionally experience reagent stock-outs, which can disrupt the smooth operation of our services
Q: Can you share any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of?
A: One of the major accomplishments we are proud of is that our lab is one of the few public clinical laboratories in Nigeria that utilizes a Laboratory Information System (LIS). This system is integrated with the hospital's electronic medical records (EMR), which has significantly improved our ability to manage data and report results more efficiently. This integration allows for faster result reporting and makes it easier for clinicians in the wards and clinics to access lab results promptly, which ultimately leads to better patient care.
Another accomplishment we are proud of is our enrollment in an External Quality Assurance program, administered by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. We have been participating in this program for the past six years, and during this time, we have consistently performed at an optimal level. This external oversight has contributed to the continuous improvement of the quality of our lab services.
Q: Are there any exciting future plans for your lab?
A: Yes, we have several exciting developments in the works. To address the issue of unreliable electricity, we are in the process of installing solar power systems to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the lab. We are also focused on achieving full accreditation of our laboratory, which will enhance the quality of our services and bring us in line with international standards. In addition, we are planning to introduce new tests to expand our service offerings, as well as engage in continuous retraining of our staff to improve both the efficiency and accuracy of our laboratory results.
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