Clinical Laboratory and Pathology

The Clinical Laboratory and Pathology in HKAH–TW & SR aim at providing the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art pathology services to patients and their physicians in Hong Kong and Greater China.

The Clinical Laboratorie and Pathology at HKAH–TW & SR has received accreditation under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) in December 2009. This is the first international accreditation has been awarded to private hospital laboratory in Hong Kong, highlights our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in our laboratories and to producing reliable and accurate diagnostic information.

HOKLAS is operated by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service with the aim of upgrading and maintaining standards in laboratories engaged in objective testing and calibration in the various disciplines of Clinical Laboratories and Pathology. It is awarded only to laboratories that achieve standards set by HOKLAS, which itself meets the requirements of ISO 15189, the internationally recognized medical standard.

Our Clinical Laboratory and Pathology is a designated institution recognised by the HKSAR Government to provide RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 as well as antibodies, since 2020. We also provide Health Certificates for the Covid-19 PCR tests to facilitate travel across the border.

The HOKLAS accreditation of our Adventist Health Laboratories encompasses all the major faculties of the clinical laboratory, Histopathology, Clinical Chemistry and Special Chemistry, Hematology and Blood Banking, and Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Since 2009 when we acquired this accreditation, we have progressively included more and more tests into the scheme's scope.

The Laboratory functions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We pledge for accuracy and speedy service. For most tests, results can be released in less than 24 hours. The procedure can be further expedited in case of emergencies. For cancer patients awaiting chemotherapy, most laboratory indices can be obtained within 30 minutes, supplying vital information for doctors to give the right dose of anti-cancer drugs at the right time.

Clinical Laboratory Services

COVID-19

HKAH – TW provides Deep Throat Saliva Test, Combined Nasal and Throat Swabs Test, Nasopharyngeal swab Test, and Antibody Test.

Nasopharyngeal Swab Test collects patient’s nasal secretions for RT-PCR test. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are close to 100%, and the test time is shorter.
Deep Throat Saliva Test requires patient’s self-collected deep throat saliva specimens for RT-PCR test. The sensitivity and specificity of the test exceed 90%.
Antibody Test Tests the blood for antibodies against COVID-19. It is a diagnostic test, and if positive, indicates that you have been infected in the past. It is suitable for patients who have no COVID like symptoms at present.

Histopathology and Cytology

We offer diagnostic services in histopathology, cytology, and surgical pathology, including frozen sections. Our in-house pathology not only renders us efficient and faster turn-around times but our two in-house Pathologists also provide prompt consultation for clinical cases, when needed.

Chemistry and Special Chemistry

We perform a wide range of tests, including allergy profiles, RAST tests, drugs of abuse, hepatitis, cancer markers as well as the Covid-19 antibodies.

Hematology

The hematology service is equipped with a fully automated cell counter with a true five-part white cell differential and a wide platelet detection range. Coagulation tests like Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III, Lupus, Factors VII, VIII and IX; Low Molecular weight drug tests are available at our Laboratories.

Blood Transfusion Services (Blood Bank)

The HKAH–TW & SR Blood Bank and Transfusion Services provide blood and blood components and perform laboratory testing for the whole hospital. The blood and blood products for our patients are supplied to us by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Services.

Microbiology

Our Laboratories are equipped with Maldi-TOF mass spectrophotometry, a high-grade technology for Microbial identification and diagnosis. We offer a full range of microbiological services including virology, aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology, mycobacteriology, parasitology and mycology testing. Rapid detection for bacterial, Cryptococcal, influenza A and B antigens and Dengue virus antibodies are also available.

Molecular Biology

This faculty uses an innovative molecular technique, providing a powerful tool for diagnosing and improving the sensitivity and specificity of testing.

This is a platform that has been continuously expanding in our laboratories, with new updated additions, like STD, Covid-19 PCR, fever and rash profile, HPV, HBV, GE and Pneumonia profiles including not only bacteria but viruses too.

New Tests Available

Actionable Cancer Panel

HKAH–TW's Actionable Cancer Panel is the first cancer screening panel to be integrated as part of a complete end-to-end next-generation sequencing workflow. The panel targets a highly sophisticated, unique set of 773 variant positions covering 12 genes of high prognostic and therapeutic relevance: KRAS, NRAS, KIT, BRAF, PDGFRA, ALK, EGFR, HER2 (ERBB2), PIK3CA, HER3 (ERBB3), ESR1 and RAF1. Samples suitable for the Actionable Cancer Panel include formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy samples, body fluids and blood samples.

Anti-CCP

Short for antibodies directed against cyclic citrullinated peptides, the presence of anti-CCP helps clinician in making a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have shown that the test may be of prognostic value in predicting radiographic joint damage.

Allergy Profile

Serum IgE level are frequently increased in patients suffering from allergic diseases. To identify the source of allergy, IgE specific to common food and environmental allergens can be measured in the patient's serum.

Antithrombin III

The test allows rapid diagnosis of inherited and acquired antithrombin III deficiency, which represents an increased risk of thrombosis. Antithrombin III deficiency can occur as a complication of liver, kidney and heart diseases, and is common in cancer patients.

Bacterial Antigen (CSF)

This is rapid latex test for detection of bacterial antigens in the body fluids such as CSF, serum or urine in patients suspected of having bacterial infections. Common pathogens such as Streptococcus group B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitis A, B, C, Y or W135 and Escherichia coli K1 are included.

BNP

BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide, is a hormone that is made in the ventricles of the heart. More of it is released into the blood when there is a change in the wall of the left ventricle. BNP values are used as an aid in the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of heart failure.

BRCA 1/2 Panel

The BRCA 1/2 Panel covers breast and ovarian cancers. The panel comprises 253 pooled primer pairs, custom designed to cover all coding regions of the BRCA 1 and 2 genes, including 20bp flanking regions in adjacent introns. It enables clinical research insights into both breast as well as ovarian cancers from 40ng of input material. Samples suitable for the BRCA 1/2 Panel include formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy samples only.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Antibodies to the body's own tissue transglutaminase are increased in patients with CD, as well as antibodies against endomysium and reticulin. The test can help to investigate the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating , diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort.

Cystatin C

Serum concentration of cystatin C is dependent on the glomerular filtration rate. Measurement of Cystatin C provides useful information on the patient's kidney function. It offers clear advantages over serum creatinine because it is not affected by factors such as muscle mass and nutrition.

Cryptococcal antigen (CSF)

The test looks for Cryptococcal antigens in the CSF of patients suspected of having meningitis. The test is superior to the old Indian Ink method.

Drug Screening (Ketamine)

Cases of Ketamine abuse are on the rise. This is a simple but accurate screening test on urine specimens.

Drug Screening Profile

This is a rapid immunoassay performed in urine samples and can provide specific qualitative result for the major metabolites of nine different classes of drugs, including Barbiturate, Morphine, Cocaine, Methathone, Opiates, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Tetrahydroannabinol, Benzodiazepines and Methamphetamines.

Homocysteine

The test may be indicated in the following clinical situations:
- Unexplained anemia
- Peripheral neuropathy or myelopathy
- Recurrent spontaneous abortions or infertility
- Delayed development or failure to thrive in infants
Homocysteine is also useful for diagnosing individuals with potential increased risk factors for coronary artery disease and thromboses.

Legionella Urinary antigen test

This Legionella urinary antigen test is a rapid test for early diagnosis of Legionnaires disease. The test can be positive as early as three days after the onset of symptoms.

Lupus anticoagulant (LA)

Lupus anticoagulants (LA) are autoantibodies that can appear in various clinical conditions, especially autoimmune disease. Their presence is now considered to be a significant risk factor the development of unexplained thrombosis.

Microalbumin/
Creatinine

Subjects with both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent mellitus (NIDDM) are at increased risk of kidney damage. The presence of microalbumin in the urine (Microalbuminuria) is the earliest stage of diabetic nephropathy. This test measures low concentrations of microalbumin and compares it with creatinine level in the urine.

Parasite Panel

This test is performed on fresh or freshly frozen stool and is used as an aid in the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic disease caused by Giardia Lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar., and Cryptosporidium parvum.

Procalcitonin (PCT)

Procalcitonin (PCT ) increases about 3 hours after bacterial infection and reaches maximum values after 6-12 hours. It is a highly specific marker for the diagnosis of bacterial infections and sepsis .

Protein C

Protein C is a vitamin-K dependent inhibitor of coagulation proteins. Patients with congenital protein C deficiency have severe thrombotic complications in the neonatal period. Acquired deficiency can occur with vitamin K deficiency, as well as in patients with liver diseases and in cancer patients.

Protein S

Protein S serves as a cofactor to enhance the anticoagulant effects of activated protein C. Familial protein S deficiency is associated with recurrent thrombosis. Acquired Protein S deficiency is found in a number of hypercoagulable states.

Strep A

This is a rapid test for the detection of Group A streptococcal antigen in throat swab specimen from patients with pharyngitis. Results can be available in about 15 minutes.

Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen

This is a rapid method for the diagnosis of pneumoncoccal pneumonia by using urine sample and pneumoococcal meningitis by using CSF.

Thyroglobulin

Thyroglobulin is helpful in the differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and in monitoring the course of differentiated or metastatic thyroid cancer.

Troponin I

Troponin I is released into the blood stream within hours following a heart attack. Elevated levels are detectable in serum within 4 V 6 hours, reaching peak concentration in approximately 8 to 28 hours, and remain elevated for 3 to 10 days. It is one of the most specific biochemical markers for myocardial tissue injury.

Troponin T

Unlike Troponin I, Troponin T can remain elevated for up to 14 days. Troponin T is an independent prognostic marker which can predict the near-, mid- and even long term outcome of patients with heart attacks.

Viral Panel

Most viral infections present with a febrile illness. The laboratory offers quantitative evaluation of viral titres. Determination of antibodies of class IgG indicate a former or acute infection and determination of antibodies of class IgM indicate an acute infection. Antibodies against common viruses are grouped into profiles.