Vision:
The department provides a service with a state-of-the-art biochemical investigation of the highest quality to help in the diagnosis and management of disease in the Sultanate of Oman. This includes highly specialized tests unique to SQUH.
Mission:
The department mission is to provide a consultant based advisory service supported by adequate scientific and diagnostic facilities monitored by internal and external QC programs.
The department's mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of our hospital patients by providing high-quality laboratory testing and outstanding service. Our knowledge and experience will enable us to support the existing laboratory service and bring innovative new technologies to our laboratory service. In the conduct of our laboratory service we:
1. Treat those we serve with dignity and respect.
2. Recognize and respect the value and contribution of all employees.
3. Understand that our patients and clients are the reason for our existence and value them accordingly. This understanding is demonstrated through our compassion, dedication to quality, and provision of an outstanding service based on patients and clients needs.
4. Through a long-term commitment to this mission, we will be known as the outstanding provider of laboratory service in our region. We will be example of excellence to other laboratory providers and will work co-operatively to share our expertise.
Being part of a teaching hospital we are committed to provide teaching of the highest quality to medical students, BSc. MLS students, MSc. students and clinical biochemistry staff.
The Department of Clinical Biochemistry offers a 24 hours service. Normal working hours, Saturday to Wednesday is 0800 –1600 hours. Biomedical Scientists cover hours in the normal working hours in a shift system. First shift is 0700 – 1500 hours, second shift is 1500 – 2200 hours and third shift is 2200 –0700 hours. Consultant Clinical Biochemists provide a 24 hour consultancy advice service on the appropriate investigation and the interpretation of results.
The laboratories four (4) medical orderlies make four rounds a day, Saturday to Wednesday to collect specimens from all wards, clinics, theaters, and A&E. The specimens collected at the rounds are only routine requests. Any URGENT requests are transported to the department by ward’s own medical orderly.
The rounds are: 0900 O’clock
1100 O’clock
1230 O’clock
1400 O’clock
On specimen collection time the laboratory medical orderly will require a nurse to sign the form showing when the collection took place.
On special occasions (Ramadan) the rounds will be reduced to 3 rounds and if possible a note on change of collection time will be issued.
Quality Assurance system incorporates all the planned and systematic actions undertaken by the laboratory, to provide adequate confidence that the service meets defined quality standards. The department has been ISO 9001:2000 certified in 2005.
The laboratory is committed to provide a rapid, reliable, and above all, quality services to the clinician and the patient. To this end, the laboratory undertakes an internal quality control programme, in which controls are used on a regular daily basis. It also participates in an External Quality Assurance programme, and consistently performs above average.
- Point of Care Testing (POCT):
Currently the POCT team from the laboratory inspects and advices on the blood gas analyzers on a daily basis. This service will be extended to the glucometers in the near future.