Central laboratories of the FNB

The central laboratories are located in the pavilion no.8 and in pavilion no.17, They provide comprehensive laboratory services for outpatients and inpatients of Bulovka University Hospital and other external applicants and clients in specialtiesclinical biochemistry(OKB), Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (OKHT), clinical immunology and infectious serology, including virology (OKIV),clinical microbiology (OKM) - including TB laboratory and high risk disease BSL3, molecular genetics, parasitology and National Reference Laboratory for Diagnosis of Tropical and Parasitic Infections (NRL), clinical and forensic toxicology (TOXO), medical genetics (LLG) and pathologicko-anatomic (PATO).

The central laboratories carry out biochemical and immunological tests, haematological and transfusion laboratory diagnostics (including autologous transfusions), and microbiological diagnostics of infectious diseases (including services provided by the antibiotic centre); the clinical and forensic toxicology laboratory provides modern toxicological testing, with clinical toxicology involving close collaboration with the clinical pharmacy department as part of plasma drug level measurements. The Medical Genetics Laboratory carries out human genome analysis.

In the case of forensic toxicology, the unit collaborates with the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and the First Faculty of Medicine. For biopsy examinations, there is a Department of Pathological Anatomy, which also provides cytological, histological and immunohistochemical examinations. In indicated cases, autopsies are also performed. The care provided by the FNB Central Laboratories includes the provision of consultative and advisory services in all the aforementioned areas of laboratory medicine.

The laboratories have two central sampling centres, which provide services primarily to the outpatient departments of the hospital’s individual clinics, including the Comprehensive Cancer Centre. COM 8 is located in Pavilion No. 8 and COM 2 in Pavilion No. 2. The Department of Clinical Haematology and Transfusion has established haematology outpatient clinics, which have long provided services primarily to outpatients from the catchment area. The Department of Clinical Microbiology operates a sampling point for COVID-19 testing.

The concept of joint operation of the laboratory medicine complement – haematology, transfusion, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, toxicology and pathology – is based on the need for their close connection to the clinical andoutpatient departments of the hospital. The quality of healthcare services is guaranteed by a highly skilled team of laboratory staff, whose task is to keep abreast of new developments in their fields andapply them to the range of parameters tested in line with rapidly advancing knowledge in these fields. It is important that doctors are kept informed about new possibilities and the benefits for individual clinical departments, as well as active interdisciplinary cooperation, including the continuous training of laboratory staff.

The established quality management system in accordance with the standards ČSN EN ISO 15189 ed. 3:2023 and ČSN EN ISO 15189 ed. 2:2013 is continuously reviewed by audits conducted by ČIA and NASKL ČLS JEP. The Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Microbiology, Haematology and Transfusion, Clinical Immunology and Virology, pathological anatomy, the medical genetics laboratory and the central sampling sites hold a Certificate of Accreditation in accordance with the ČSN EN ISO 15189 ed. 3:2023 standard, granted by ČIA. The Laboratory of Clinical and Forensic Toxicology holds a Certificate of Compliance with the NASKL R3 Audit requirements.

Organisational chart of the Central Laboratories available for download here.
Simplified organisational chart of the Central Laboratories’ responsibilities available for download here.
List of activities within the flexible scope available for download here.
Accreditation certificate in accordance with ČSN EN ISO 15189 ed.3:2023 available for download here.

History

Central Laboratories of the Bulovka University Hospital were established in 2016 by merging the individual laboratories located in the newly renovated Pavilion 8 into one organizational unit. The fundamental idea of the new concept of the laboratory departments at the Hospital Na Bulovka was to unite them under a common management and to concentrate them in one centre.

The reconstruction of the pavilion for laboratory disciplines was finally decided in spring 2007 in cooperation with the NNB management and the City of Prague. The proposed study was implemented and the pavilion was handed over for use in October 2014. The transfer of the laboratories to the new premises at the end of 2014 represented the first step towards gradual consolidation, which resulted in the establishment of a centralised laboratory department with a unified reception of biological material.

The Departments of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Clinical Haematology and Transfusion and Clinical Microbiology became part of the Central Laboratories. The laboratories were simultaneously connected to the hospital's pipeline mail system, which has been in operation since 2016. This system ensures a very fast transport of samples while observing all the conditions necessary for their proper processing.

From 2021, under the leadership of Mgr. Ziad Khaznadar, there has been significant dynamic development of the department and its expansion with the addition of more departments. At present, the Central Laboratories include:

Department of Clinical Biochemistry,
Department of Clinical Microbiology (including NRL for diagnosis of tropical and parasitic infections),
Department of Clinical Immunology and Virology,
Department of Clinical Hematology and Transfusion,
Department of Pathology and Anatomy,
Laboratory of Clinical and Forensic Toxicology,
Laboratory of Medical Genetics,
common facilities (central sampling points 2 and 8, central material reception).

From 2023 onwards, the Central Laboratories of the FNB also provide comprehensive laboratory services in full scope for the Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital.