Acting Head of Department of Biochemistry - Microbiology
Kim Thi Thuy Chung
Department of Biochemistry - Microbiology
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Department of Biochemistry - Microbiology
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Biochemistry – Microbiology was established under Decision No. 1147/QĐ-BVĐK of Tra Vinh General Hospital and officially began operating on 01/07/2025. The department's predecessor was the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Parasitology unit of the Department of Laboratory Medicine. It is located on the 2nd floor of Block D, Tra Vinh General Hospital.
The department performs in-depth paraclinical tests in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, parasitology and molecular biology, supporting diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. The department is also responsible for laboratory quality management; management of chemicals, biological products and equipment; ensuring biosafety and infection control; and compliance with the professional regulations of the Ministry of Health.
With the motto "Safety – Accuracy – Efficiency – Improvement", the Department of Biochemistry – Microbiology takes biosafety as its foundation, accuracy as its goal, effective patient service as its focus, and continuous quality improvement as the driving force for development.
With a team of well-trained, dedicated and experienced doctors, bachelors and laboratory technicians, the department always focuses on improving professional quality, applying scientific and technical advances and implementing quality management processes to deliver safe, fast and effective laboratory services.
The department serves inpatients, outpatients, emergency patients, people undergoing health check-ups, and others inside and outside the hospital who need laboratory testing.
The department's highlights include a modern laboratory system, automated equipment and a Laboratory Information System (LIS) connected to the Hospital Information System (HIS) for fast and accurate transmission of test data, a closed-loop testing process, fast turnaround times, and regular internal and external quality control, all of which improve the accuracy of test results and meet the hospital's professional requirements.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
The Department of Biochemistry – Microbiology performs many modern laboratory techniques, meeting the diagnostic and treatment monitoring needs of the hospital's specialties.
Biochemistry
- Performing routine biochemistry tests: Glucose, HbA1c, Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, Total Protein, Albumin, Total Bilirubin, Direct Bilirubin, Iron, Amylase, Uric Acid, CK-MB, hs-CRP, electrolytes, RF…
- Performing urine tests: routine urinalysis, 24-hour urine protein quantification, urine microalbumin, urine creatinine, …
Immunology:
- Performing hormone, tumor marker and infectious disease tests such as: TSH, FT4, FT3, AFP, CEA, PSA total, Free PSA, Cortisol, Ferritin, Troponin I, PCT, Pro-BNP, HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBc IgM, HBc total, HBeAb, Anti-HCV, HIV, CA 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, Cyfra 21-1, ...
- Performing rapid tests: Dengue fever, Dengue IgM/IgG, syphilis RPR, 5-in-1 and 4-in-1 urine drug tests
Molecular biology:
- Hepatitis B viral load (HBV DNA).
- Hepatitis C viral load (HCV RNA).
- HIV viral load by Real-time PCR.
Microbiology:
- Culture, bacterial identification and automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Testing of specimens such as blood, urine, pus, body fluids, stool...
- Ensuring Biosafety Level II laboratory safety.
In addition, the department continuously updates and introduces new tests to meet growing diagnostic and treatment monitoring needs. Notable examples include TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity), UIBC (Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity) and (TSAT) Transferrin Saturation, which help assess iron metabolism and support the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, iron overload and related conditions.
In addition, the department maintains a laboratory quality management system in accordance with Decision 2429/QĐ-BYT, working closely with clinical departments to improve the quality of medical care and patient satisfaction.
TRAINING & RESEARCH
The Department of Biochemistry – Microbiology places strong emphasis on training, scientific research and human resource development to continuously improve professional quality. Key activities include:
- Practical training: Receiving and providing practical training for students of health sciences universities and colleges.
- Internal training: Regularly organizing scientific meetings, internal training and sharing of professional knowledge, helping to improve professional competence and keep staff updated on new guidelines, procedures and laboratory techniques.
- Continuing education: Every year, the department sends staff to training courses and refresher courses on laboratory practice, internal quality control, external quality assessment, laboratory quality management (QM), biosafety and new laboratory techniques.
- Laboratory quality improvement: Improving quality and introducing new laboratory techniques to enhance professional effectiveness.
- Community activities: Participating in disease prevention and control, hospital infection control, and performing professional tasks assigned by the hospital.
EQUIPMENT
No. | Equipment Name | Purpose |
1 | Automated Biochemistry Analyzers DxC 700 AU, AU 480 | Performing routine and specialized biochemistry tests. |
2 | Immunoassay Systems Abbott Architect i1000SR, Beckman DxI 800 | Performing hormone, tumor marker, infectious disease and immunology tests. |
3 | CBS 400 Electrolyte Analyzer | Measures the electrolytes sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl⁻) and ionized calcium (iCa²⁺), supporting the assessment of electrolyte disorders, homeostasis and acid–base status and the monitoring of treatment effectiveness. |
4 | VITEK Automated Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing System | Bacterial identification and automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing. |
5 | Chromate 4300 ELISA Reader | Performs immunoassays by the ELISA method, supporting the detection of antigens and antibodies in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, parasitic diseases and other conditions as indicated. |
6 | MicroScan WalkAway 96 plus | An automated identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing analyzer, supporting the identification of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi and performing susceptibility testing with a wide range of flexible panels. |
7 | Abbott m2000 Real-time PCR System | Molecular biology testing, measuring HBV, HCV and HIV viral loads. |
8 | HLC-723 G8 Automated HbA1c Analyzer | Measures HbA1c by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), supporting the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes. |
9 | Gastat 710 Blood Gas Analyzer | Analyzes blood gases and metabolic parameters, supporting the assessment of respiratory status and acid–base balance and the monitoring of patient treatment. |
10 | Automated Urine Analysis System | Performs 10-parameter urinalysis. |
STAFF
The department's staff is a young, dynamic team with professional qualifications suited to their positions, always united, responsible and continuously learning to improve their professional competence. In a patient-centered spirit, the department always focuses on improving laboratory quality and responding promptly to the needs of diagnosis, treatment and patient care.
