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SRI LAKSHMI MULTI SPECIALITY HOSPITAL

Laboratory Standard Operating Procedure

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting your personal and health information with transparency, integrity and confidentiality while delivering quality healthcare services.

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01
LABORATORY SOP

Laboratory Operations, Sample Collection & Diagnostic Services

The Laboratory Department is responsible for providing accurate, reliable and timely diagnostic services to support patient care. Laboratory personnel shall perform all activities in accordance with applicable laws, Hospital policies, NABH standards and accepted laboratory practices while ensuring patient safety, specimen integrity and confidentiality.

"Every laboratory result shall be accurate, reliable, timely and based upon properly identified specimens."

Applicable Laws & Standards

  • Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 (where applicable).
  • Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
  • NABH Laboratory Services (LAB) Standards.
  • NABH Human Resource Management (HRM) Standards.

Core Responsibilities

  • Collect patient samples using approved identification procedures.
  • Verify patient identity before specimen collection.
  • Label all specimens immediately after collection.
  • Perform laboratory investigations accurately using approved methods.
  • Follow quality control procedures before reporting results.
  • Deliver laboratory reports accurately and within the prescribed turnaround time.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.
  • Ensure proper storage, transport and disposal of specimens.
  • Maintain confidentiality of laboratory records and patient information.

Sample Collection Standards

  • Use appropriate specimen collection techniques for each investigation.
  • Verify patient identity using approved identifiers before collection.
  • Use correct collection containers and anticoagulants where required.
  • Reject and document improperly labelled or unsuitable specimens in accordance with Hospital policy.
Laboratory personnel shall ensure accurate specimen identification, reliable testing and timely reporting while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and professional practice.
02
QUALITY ASSURANCE & PROFESSIONAL COMPLIANCE

Sample Identification, Report Verification & Laboratory Compliance

"No specimen shall be collected, processed or reported without proper patient identification."

Patient Identification & Sample Handling

  • Verify patient identity using at least two approved identifiers before specimen collection.
  • Label all specimens immediately at the point of collection.
  • Do not accept unlabeled, mismatched or improperly identified specimens unless permitted under Hospital policy.
  • Maintain specimen integrity during collection, transportation and storage.
  • Follow Hospital infection prevention and biosafety procedures while handling all specimens.

Testing, Verification & Reporting

  • Perform investigations only in accordance with approved laboratory procedures.
  • Ensure quality control requirements are completed before reporting results.
  • Review and verify reports for accuracy before release.
  • Immediately communicate critical or panic values to the treating doctor or authorised clinical staff and document the communication.
  • Deliver laboratory reports within the prescribed turnaround time wherever reasonably practicable.

Equipment & Quality Control

  • Use only calibrated and approved laboratory equipment.
  • Perform routine maintenance and calibration as scheduled.
  • Document equipment maintenance, quality control and corrective actions.
  • Immediately report equipment malfunction to the Laboratory In-charge.
  • Do not use defective equipment until it has been repaired and approved for use.

Serious Violations

  • Sample collection without proper patient identification.
  • Incorrect or misleading laboratory reporting.
  • Failure to communicate critical laboratory values.
  • Falsification or alteration of laboratory records.
  • Failure to follow quality control procedures.
  • Improper handling or disposal of laboratory specimens.
  • Disclosure of confidential laboratory or patient information.

Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with this SOP, Hospital policies, NABH standards or applicable laws may result in counselling, retraining, competency reassessment, suspension of laboratory duties or disciplinary action, depending upon the nature and seriousness of the violation. Accurate diagnostic reporting and patient safety shall always remain the highest priority.

Laboratory personnel are responsible for ensuring accurate patient identification, reliable testing, quality-controlled reporting and timely communication of diagnostic results while maintaining the highest standards of professional practice and patient safety.