The Department of Laboratory Medicine was established alongside Chulalongkorn Hospital from its inception in 1914, initially known as the Pathology Division. It was responsible for laboratory testing for hospital patients. In 1947, with the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, anatomical pathology was transferred to the Department of Pathology, while clinical chemistry testing was handed over to the Department of Physiology, and hematology testing remained with the Pathology Division.
In 1958, the Faculty of Medical Technology of the University of Medical Sciences established a department within Chulalongkorn Hospital to teach medical technology students and serve as a laboratory for hospital patients. Consequently, pathology-related work managed by the Department of Physiology was consolidated here. In 1967, Chulalongkorn University assumed oversight of the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn Hospital. In 1971, the Faculty of Medical Technology’s relevant departments were incorporated into Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, forming the Department of Laboratory Medicine. This department included the Clinical Pathology Unit, previously under the Department of Pathology, and the Medical Technology Unit, performing functions as the Laboratory Medicine Division for Chulalongkorn Hospital.
The department primarily provides laboratory services for both outpatients and inpatients, with a 24/7 emergency laboratory available to support physicians and benefit patients. Academically, it is responsible for teaching clinical pathology to medical students and offering training for students from other institutions, as well as specialized training in general and clinical pathology for domestic and international personnel.
Obligation
The Department of Laboratory Medicine serves as a central laboratory at Chulalongkorn Hospital, following international standards for handling outpatient samples for analysis across various labs. It provides laboratory testing services and oversees point-of-care testing to ensure high standards for effective patient care, meeting the satisfaction of doctors, nurses, and outpatients.
Operations
- Training: Providing hands-on experience in clinical pathology to create highly knowledgeable medical personnel at both undergraduate and graduate levels within and beyond the hospital.
- Academic Resource: Supporting research and innovation to advance excellence in patient care and public health for physicians, nurses, and healthcare personnel.
- Learning Hub: Offering knowledge in medical laboratory management to hospitals and external agencies.
- Community Support: Providing laboratory analysis services for hospital and other organizations’ social initiatives.
Vision
Quality timely services.
Mission
Any goals or policies adopted by the Medical Department must be involved in helping achieve success. It is divided into two plans as follows;
1. Strategy map and BSC of the hospital.
- The department adheres to rigorous standards for laboratory services, holding certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 15189, and ISO 15190, as well as accreditation by the Royal College of Pathologists and the College of American Pathologists.
- Ensuring safety and accuracy across all laboratory dimensions.
- Enhancing patient satisfaction.
- Continuously improving patient service processes.
- Maintaining agility to adapt to change.
- Upholding organizational integrity.
- Developing skilled personnel with creativity for practical application.
- Fostering continuous learning and development among staff.
2. Plan for the system committee and other divisions related to service.
- Reporting outpatient laboratory test results within 1 hour and 30 minutes for over 90% of samples (POCT-OPD).
- Providing “Stroke Fast Track” test results for emergency patients within 30 minutes, with a success rate of 90%.
- Managing high-volume blood sample collection issues.
- Providing ongoing education and training in point-of-care testing.
- Serving as a central sample collection hub for user convenience.
- Maintaining continuous adherence to the department’s recognized laboratory standards.
Division/Center structure of subunits
The autopsy department consists of 6 divisions as follows;
- Analysis at Point of Care.
- Quality development.
- In patient Analysis.
- Out patient Analysis.
- Specimen collection center.
- R&D
Services
The Department of Laboratory Medicine serves as the Central Laboratory of Chulalongkorn Hospital, operating under the Thai Red Cross Society and in accordance with Thai law. It is responsible for the collection, processing, and distribution of test results for various hospital departments. Its primary duties involve analyzing human-derived samples, such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, within the fields of clinical chemistry and clinical microscopy (hematology and urinalysis). These services are provided for the general public, patients at Chulalongkorn Hospital, and other medical institutions, generating data crucial for disease diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, control, prevention, and health assessment. The department also offers consultations and advice on laboratory matters to physicians, service users, and interested parties.
The laboratory has earned multiple certifications, which support its operations and enhance service quality for users:
- ISO 15189 Certification: Achieved on April 30, 2004, as the first lab in Asia to earn this certification. The first renewal was on April 2, 2007. It received ISO 15190 certification on April 29, 2015, and has maintained both standards to the present.
- ISO 9001:2015 Certification: For the sample collection center, obtained on August 24, 2021, and maintained to date.
- ISO 22870:2016 Certification (for Point-of-Care Testing): Achieved on December 22, 2021, and currently incorporated into ISO 15189 standards.
- Royal College of Pathologists Certification: Initially granted on September 6, 2002, and continuously upheld.
- College of American Pathologists (CAP) Certification: Awarded on August 20, 2021.
- NGSP Level 1 Certification: For HbA1C analysis.
- Accredited Training Institution: For clinical pathology and transfusion medicine residency training.
- RLU (Rational Lab Use) HOSPITAL AWARD: Awarded by the Department of Medical Sciences for the Central Region, in the large hospital category, on August 13, 2024.
The Department of Laboratory Medicine at Chulalongkorn Hospital, recognized as a Continuing Medical Technology Education (CMTE) institution by the Medical Technology Council, offers monthly professional development training, meetings, and seminars for medical technologists nationwide. Regular internal and external evaluations optimize service effectiveness, reduce operational losses, and maximize benefits for users. The department has also implemented a one-stop service model with multiple sample collection centers (at PBR 6, STH 3, Navatri Medical, Chakri Naruebodindra, and PBR 11), with further expansion planned.
