MICROBIOLOGY

The microbiology department provides comprehensive bacteriological, fungal, mycobacterial culture and serological diagnostic service helping in treatment of patients with infection.

WebsiteJpg_XL-FMICB_Main Visual_Cyan_Website

Introduction

The microbiology department provides comprehensive bacteriological, fungal, mycobacterial culture and serological diagnostic service helping in treatment of patients with infection. A wide range of samples like blood, body fluids, urine, pus, respiratory secretions, pre op swabs, catheter tips, tissues, stool etc are received for culture, around 30,000 clinical samples and around 20,000 surveillance samples per year.

Diagnostics

The department has BacT alert automated systems – 120 cells for blood culture specific for adults & paediatric patients thereby helping reduce the turnaround time and results being available after a shortened incubation period of four hours instead of the conventional 24 hours, Mycobacterial culture done using BacT alert automated systems – 60 cells, Automated Vitek 2 Compact system used for identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungus. Anaerobic, Fungal, and Mycobacterial culture of various clinical samples are routinely performed.

The department has set its Quality Objective

To improve the Turnaround time of Gram stain smears from 3-4hrs to 2hrs during Night duty hours & NIL Variance in EQAS report.

Surveillance

The department has been helping in monitoring antibiotic resistance, preventing spread of infections, actively involved in surveillance of theatres, Robotic OT,  ICU’s, BMT unit, various wards, CSSD, health care personnel and biomedical waste management for better infection control & conducts continued education for nursing and paramedical staff.

Infection Control

It is a major responsibility of the department, regular review of infections and antibiotic policy to limit the spread of infections & resistance is being done. Following the Institute policy of providing a safe hospital environment for our patients, we ensure adherence of strict infection control practice at all levels of the hospital. Relevant cultures are sent at the first suspicion of infection to identify focus and antibiotic initiation is done after sending cultures. Compliance with antibiotic policy is reviewed periodically & all efforts are made to reduce overall antibiotic use. As part of the NABH journey, we have initiated many quality control activities, all the NABH standards pertaining to the laboratory & Infection Control are being adhered at the department. Quality objective set to improve the Hand hygiene compliance from 70% to 80%. WHO – Infection prevention and control assessment tool & Hand hygiene self-assessment framework are being followed. Surveillance of CLABSI, VAP, SSI & CAUTI is done.

Emergency Cases

Please feel welcome to contact our friendly reception staff with any general or medical enquiry call us.

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday :  8.00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday : 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Sunday : 10.00 am – 9.00 pm

Registration Time

Monday – Sunday : 7.00 am – 11.00 am

Visiting Hours

Monday – Sunday : 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM

Infrastructure

Invasive aspergillosis is a serious and often fatal infection in patients who are neutropenic or have undergone solid organ or stem cell transplantation, delayed diagnosis and therapy may lead to poor outcome in these patients. Accurate diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis may improve outcome and assists in early diagnosis by permitting treatment before the infection becomes irreversible. Diagnosis may be facilitated by galactomannan antigen detection using an enzyme immunoassay using rat monoclonal antibodies.

BacT – Alert - Automated blood culture system

a qualitative Microbial detection system used for enhanced recovery and detection of aerobic and facultative microorganisms (Bacteria & fungi) from Blood.

Applications

Principle

VITEK 2 Automated Identification and Susceptibility testing from Biomerieux, Germany

The VITEK 2 Compact system is dedicated to the identification of bacteria and yeasts and susceptibility testing of clinically significant bacteria.

The system includes the VITEK® 2 Compact instrument, a computer (workstation), and printer.

The software provided with the VITEK® 2 Compact system includes analysis and data-management programs. A bidirectional computer interface transfers results automatically to the user’s laboratory information system (LIS) and to various product and patient reports.

A Quality Control System is available to validate a VITEK® 2 Compact system test kit. An Advanced Expert System™ (Clinical Use) is available to provide online, systematic validation of results and interpretation of resistant phenotypes found during susceptibility testing.

Vitek 2C is automated bacterial and fungal identification and susceptibility system. This is an automated microbiology system utilizing growth-based technology, reducing hands on time for enhanced workflow & rapid reporting. Read More

Advanced Expert System automatically provides validation of every susceptibility test result to help clinicians select the most appropriate antibiotic treatment. The Advanced Expert System signals when results are ready, saving time, and gives an accurate phenotype profile of the bacterial resistance mechanism for each isolate tested, using color-coded indicators.
enhances reporting with customization and maximum efficiency, by automatically transferring results, offering alerts for critical results and improving standardization.
4 levels of documents introduced as part of Quality Management System and being implemented and controlled are:
1. Quality Assurance Manual.
2. Laboratory Safety manual.
3. Standard operating procedures and Policies for each test.
4. Work instructions.
1. Internal quality control
2. External quality assurance
3. Pre – analytic phase
4. Test standardization
5. Post – analytic phase management & organization.

*Corrective & preventive are taken promptly to address any deviations.
The Department initiated stringent measures during the pandemic since Mar 2020, Measures were taken to handle the suspected and confirmed COVID cases who visited the Institute. COVID-19 infection spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact & can be air borne. All staff in patient care areas including the housekeeping services are at risk of infection while handling infected patients.
hence the following guidelines for prevention & control of COVID-19 were strictly adhered.
To ensure prevention of COVID infection, the team monitors I/C practices to ensure staff compliance.
Strict implementation of the following are still monitored:

1. Attenders were restricted to 1 per patient by the security staff
2. Wearing of mask, carrying minimal baggage & hand sanitization was made mandatory at the entrance
3. People were scanned through a Thermal scanner & guided to triaging area
4. Social distancing was ensured
5. Biomedical waste disposal and other general infection control measures were monitored
6. Monitoring of OPD, surface cleaning of the chair/ stool/ couches/ tables and other materials after each patient is examined using a checklist was strictly followed
7. Strict monitoring & implementation of the safety measures in the wards was done by Matrons
8. Hand sanitizers were placed in strategic places in both the campuses
9. Bilingual signage in English & Tamil were displayed
1. Ensuring triage, early recognition, and isolating patients with suspected COVID-19.

2. Applying standard precautions & implementing additional precautions like droplet, contact and airborne precautions.

3. Implementing environmental control, engineering control & administrative controls.

• The support staff engaged in cleaning and disinfection will also wear full complement of PPE.
• Spatial separation of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from one bed to next.
• The access to isolation ward should be through dedicated way.
• Ensure that appropriate hand washing facilities and hand-hygiene supplies are available. Stock the sink area with suitable supplies for hand washing, and with alcohol-based hand rub, near the point of care and the room door.
• Visitors to the isolation ward should be disallowed.

Environmental Cleaning & Disinfection Protocol

Human coronaviruses can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 9 days. COVID-19 virus has been detected after up to 72 hours on plastic and steel, 24 hours on cardboard, 4 hours on copper therefore, cleaning the environment is paramount. Cleaning environmental surfaces with water and detergent and applying commonly used hospital disinfectants (such as sodium hypochlorite) is an effective and sufficient procedure. The following cleaning & disinfection protocol for control & prevention of spread of COVID 19 is strictly being followed in OPD’s, wards, high risk areas – ICU/OT, counter’s, other patient care areas & diagnostic laboratories at both campus.

Many disinfectants are active against enveloped viruses, such as the COVID-19 virus, including commonly used hospital disinfectants.Read More

Services – List, statistics (tables/graphs)

A. Clinical samples

A. Clinical samples

S.NOSPECIMEN RECEIVED FROM APRIL 2020- MARCH 2021No: of specimens
1.AFB 112
2.AFB Culture44
3.ASO2
4.Automated ID/AST (Rapid Culture) 116
5.Ascitic fluid for AFB Culture 25
6.Ascitic fluid for Culture and Sensitivity 46
7.Automated Blood (Central) for Culture and Sensitivity727
8.Automated Blood (Peripheral) for Culture and Sensitivity 2386
9.Automated Blood for Culture and Sensitivity 367
10.BMA for Culture and Sensitivity 2
11.Bile for Culture and Sensitivity 26
12.Biopsy for Culture and Sensitivity 04
13.Blood WIDAL test 43
14.Blood for Culture and Sensitivity 133
15.Blood for Fungal Culture and Sensitivity 1
16.Bronchial Wash for AFB 04
17.Bronchial Wash for AFB Culture 4
18.Bronchial Wash for Culture and Sensitivity 24
19.CRP1656
20.CSF for AFB 41
21.CSF for AFB Culture09
22.CSF for Culture and Sensitivity 70
23.Catheter tip 11
24.Central Line tip 184
25.Central line Blood (Green) for Culture and Sensitivity 1
26.Central line Blood for Culture and Sensitivity 33
27.Clostridium Difficle GDH Toxins A and B 28
28.Culture & Sensitivity 199
29. Culture Of 3
30.ETT Swab for Culture and Sensitivity 8
31. ETT tip04
32. Enteric Blood for Culture & Sensitivity 2
33.FNAC for AFB 2
34.Fluid for Culture & Sensitivity97
35.Fungal Culture 29
36.Fungal culture for skin scraping1
37.Fungal stain 88
38.Gram Stain – direct963
39.Gram Stain – from samples14920
40.Mantoux Test 228
41.Other stains 2
42.Pericardial fluid for AFB2
43.Pericardial fluid for Culture and Sensitivity3
44.Peripheral line Blood for Culture and Sensitivity35
45.Peritoneal fluid for AFB4
46.Peritoneal fluid for AFB culture1
47.Peritoneal fluid for Culture and Sensitivity03
48.Pleural fluid for AFB79
49.Pleural fluid for AFB Culture27
50.Pleural fluid for Culture and Sensitivity 92
51.Pre-OP Swab for Culture 17
52.Pus for Culture and Sensitivity 109
53.Pus swab for Culture and Sensitivity 116
54.RA Factor 11
55.Sputum for AFB X 3 days 146
56.Sputum for AFB Culture 52
57.Sputum for Culture and Sensitivity 510
58.Sputum for Fungal culture5
59.Sputum in Tracheal Tube 33
60.Stem Cell Culture 43
61.Stool Hanging Drop Method 10
62.Stool for Culture and Sensitivity 1168
63.Throat Swab for Culture and Sensitivity 14
64.Tissue for Culture and Sensitivity 57
65.Urine for Culture and Sensitivity 2472
66.Urine for fungal culture 7
67.Vaginal Swab for Culture and sensitivity2
68.Viral Diagnostic 4
69.Wound Swab for Culture and Sensitivity 234
70.Anaerobic cultures166
71.Operation theatre surveillance15246
72.Ward / personnel2532
73.CSSD1802
74.ICU/ BMT726
75.Water analysis2432
76.Blood bank130
Total50,935

Standard - HIC 6g - Feedback regarding surveillance data - infection rates / trends in HIS

Academic activities

Staff Members

Dr. Manjula
(MD Micro)

Consultant Microbiologist

Dr. Shirley Sundersingh
(M.D, Pathology)

In charge
1Mrs. Varalakshmi(M.Sc Medical Micro)Infection Control Officer, Assistant Director(Admin)
2Mrs. Harini(M.Sc Medical Micro)Scientific Assistant
3Mrs. Saraswathy(M.Sc Applied Micro)Scientific Assistant
4Ms. Samudhra(MSc Medical Micro)Junior Scientific Assistant
5Ms. Kalaiselvi(B.Sc Applied Micro)Technologist
6Mrs. Valarmathi(B.Sc, DMLT)Technician
7Mrs. Meena(B.Sc MLT)Technician
8Mr. Vijayaragavan(DMLT)Technician
9Ms. Monika(DMLT)Technician
10Ms. Jhansi Rani(B.Sc, DMLT)Technician

    Make Appointment

    Call: 044-22209150/22350131 Ext 105/152/164/169/211 between 7AM and 5PM

    Quick Contacts

    Please feel free to contact our friendly staff with any medical enquiry.

    Health Essentials

    News & Articles

    WhatsApp Image 2023-03-15 at 2.03.22 PM

    Dr Rajkumar’s article in the top 100 cancer scientific Reports paper 2022

    Our Hearty Congratulations to our Dr. Rajkumar on behalf of Adyar Cancer Institute! Dr Rajkumar's Article on 'Identification and validation of plasma biomarkers for diagnosis of breast cancer in South…
    Read more
    WhatsApp Image 2023-03-15 at 7.27.13 PM

    Dr. V. Shanta Memorial Oration

    In memory of Dr. Shanta who left a legacy behind, the 2nd Memorial Oration was conducted on the 11 March 2023 graced by the presence of Mr. N Ram, The…
    Read more
    3

    Conditional survival in gastric cancer patients

    This hospital-based study has employed a novel approach for deep understanding of long-term survival among gastric cancer patients treated with a curative intent in the Cancer Institute (W.I.A), Chennai. This…
    Read more