Bhubaneswar, Nov 12: Always in the forefront in adapting to new technology and acquiring latest equipment for enhanced patient care, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here has taken a major leap in the field of laboratory hematology by becoming the first hospital in eastern region to install state-of-the-art most advanced fully automated CBC analyser with complete systemisation.

The new acquisition is the fourth such installation in the country, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Bhola, Associate Professor in Department of Pathology and in-charge of Laboratory Hematology in the hospital, said.

The Sysmex XN 3111a analyser, the latest equipment in the field, has the technology to help systemization in blood counts which included running CBC, making slides and staining them using the reflex rule, viewing them under an automated digital microscope and classifying the abnormality, he said.

“The major addition to systemization of CBC in IMS and SUM Hospital is the digital pathology CellaVision. When implemented, it speeds up and simplifies the microscopy slide review process while delivering more standardized results,” Dr. Bhola, who has been trained at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, said.

The analyzer can do the stem cell count too which can help in bone marrow transplantation process, he said adding it would promote research related activities in the university focusing on artificial intelligence and digital or virtual microscopy.

“We have also targeted more accurate platelet count by using one of the best technologies known as platelet fluorescence technology. We are also going to take the complete blood counts towards more completeness by introducing many novel advanced parameters for patient management,” he said.

The new equipment was unveiled in the hospital on Friday in the presence of SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital Prof. Gangadhar Sahoo, Medical Superintendent Prof. Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Rajesh Lenka, Head of Pathology department Prof. Debahuti Mohapatra and Director of SUM Central Lab Prof. Rajashree Panigrahy.

Prof. Mahapatra said many functions would now be accomplished much faster. “It will be fast, accurate and error free,” he said.

Dr. Bhola has been instrumental in creating the state-of-the-art laboratory hematology facility in IMS and SUM Hospital with the support of his team members who included Dr. Sarita Pradhan, Dr. Ripunjaya Mohanty, Dr. Raka Hota, Dr. Gayatri Behera and Dr. Sanjitha Hazary besides highly skilled lab technicians and support staff.