SSA : Nigeria : Pathcare

PathCare Nigeria Limited was established in 2004 in response to the increasing demand for a wider range of diagnostic tests that give more accurate and reliable results.

PathCare Nigeria empowers Doctors by providing pathology services of an international standard thereby allowing the doctor to make a confirmed diagnosis, ensure optimum dosages of key drugs, monitor the effects of therapy and therefore more effectively manage their patients
In 2006, Pathcare became the first and only diagnostic pathology laboratory in Nigeria to be accredited by the South African national Accreditation System (SANAS) to International Standards Organisation (ISO 15189) standards.

Combining technologically advanced, fully computerised laboratories with Total Quality Management Systems, Pathcare provides the widest range of specialized pathology tests, many of which were previously not available in Nigeria. Some of these include Multi drug resistant TB (PCR) identification, HBA1c, Swine flu tests, DNA paternity tests, Fertility hormones and Karyotyping.

Pathcare follows standard operating procedures and runs internal quality controls designed to ensure accurate, reproducible results of superior quality and these results can be accessed online via a secure server (Pathprovider) which gives access to results within ten minutes of completion of the test.

Pathcare Nigeria has its central laboratory in Victoria Island, with depots in Ikeja, Festac, Warri, Portharcourt and Abuja.

Our vision

We will be the benchmark for laboratory testing in Nigeria

Our mission

Pathcare Nigeria will be the first choice for clients that require laboratory testing because we can be trusted to provide accurate and timely results in an atmosphere of excellent service.

Our values

Honesty, Caring, ISO standards, Commitment

Our Clientele

Our clientele include Individuals, Hospitals and Corporate bodies
Some of them are:

• The Bridge Clinic
• Chevron Nigeria Limited
• Mobil producing
• Critical Rescue International
• International SOS Hospital
• Nigerian Breweries Plc
• Havana Specialist Hospital
• Reddington Hospital
• Lagoon Hospital
• Nigeria LNG
• Q-Life Family Clinic
• The Roding Medical centre
• Premier Specialist Medical centre
• Nigerian National Petroleum Company
• Julius Berger Nigeria Limited

Our management

Pathologists

Our services

Chemical Pathology

The measurement of chemical components in the blood and other fluids. The most common specimens used in clinical chemistry are blood, urine and CSF..
The following are some of the most common clinical chemistry tests requested:

• Enzymes are released into the blood by organs that are damaged or diseased. E.g. Amylase, Lipase, Cardiac specific enzymes. The type of enzyme released indicates which organ is affected.

• Lipids are fatty substances such as triglycerides (body fat), phospholipids (part of cell membranes) and sterols (such as cholesterol). Lipids can help signal coronary heart disease and liver disease.

• Other metabolic substances can be measured to evaluate organ function such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid.

• Proteins can indicate metabolic and nutritional disorders, as well as certain cancers.

Endocrinology

Endocrinology is a speciality where it is imperative that the results are precise as this impacts directly on patient diagnosis and management.
Tests available include but are not limited to the following:

• Diabetes: HBA1c, C-peptide, Insulin, Islet cell antibodies, Urinary microalbumin.

• Pituitary: Growth Hormone, Prolactin, hypersensitive TSH,.

• Reproductive: Antimullerian Hormone, SHBG, FSH, LH, Testosterone, Estradiol,

• Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies, Thyroid stimulating Antibodies.

• Adrenals: Cortisol. ACTH, ACE, Renin, Angiotensin, Erythopoetin, DHEAS, Adrenaline.

• Parathyroid: PTH, Calcitonin, Calcium, Phosphate

• Others: Atrial Naturetic Peptide, Brain Naturetic Peptide (pro BNP), Gastrin, Histamine, Insulin-like Growth Factor amongst others

Haematology

PathCare has unparalleled expertise in dealing with the disorders associated with the blood and the blood – forming tissues. Investigations include:

• Anaemia: Iron studies, Ferritin, Folate, B12, Intrinsic factor antibodies

• Bone Marrow studies: Cytology, Cytogenetic analysis, Immunophenotyping, Special markers e.g CD 20

• Coagulation: INR, Fibrinogen, DDimer, Protein S &C, Clotting factors e.g. VIII, IX

• Heamolytic disorders: G6PD assay (Quantitative), Direct antiglobulin test, Haptoglobulin, Immunofixation…

• Lymphocyte Marker studies: e.g. CD 20, CD4 etc

Serology

PathCare provides the widest range of serological tests whereby antibodies appear in the circulation as part of an immune response to the presence of an antigen or infective agent.

Most of our current, fully automated assays utilise the most modern Enzyme Linked immunoassay technology (ELISA) e.g 4th Generation HIV tests. The following tests (and more) are available:

• Herpes Simplex virus
• Epstein Barr virus serology
• Cytomegalovirus
• Rubella
• HIV
• Autoimmune profiles
• Rheumatoid arthritis profiles
• ASO Titres
• Cardiolipin
• Chlamydia
• Gonococcal antibodies
• Schistosoma antibodies
• Syphilis serology
• Toxoplasma
• Rickettsial antibodies
• Thyroid antibodies
• Widal
• Brucella

Microbiology

The Microbiology section of our Laboratory offers access to a modern comprehensive range of tests from microscopy to detection of organism DNA.

The activity of this section can be broadly divided into the following:

• Microscopy: is used for the detection of parasites, fungal elements, bacteria and a variety of cells associated with disease. Different staining techniques are available depending on the application.

• Culture of bacteria or fungi on a variety of media and subsequent identification of these organisms.

• Antigen detection tests. These can be viral e.g. Rota or bacteria e.g. Clostridium difficle.

• Mycobacterium culture and susceptibility. This includes full sensitivity testing for both first and second line drugs.

• Clinical Microbiologists are available for consultation in matters relating to antimicrobial treatment, infective diseases and advice pertaining to the selection and interpretation of serological results.

Genetic Diagnostics

Pathcare can provide the tests to make most of the diagnoses that are now possible, thereby making the revolutionary field of pharmacogenomics accessible to people.

Prognostic testing for cancer related mutations is available, e.g. the demonstration of mutations in the BRCA 1&2 genes, which allows a risk assessment of breast and ovarian cancer risk.

Paternity (DNA) testing is also available

HLA Typing is required for many purposes including Renal and Bone Marrow transplants. This service is reliable and provided by PathCare.

Other common tests Pathcare offers are:

• Factor V Leiden mutation
• Factor II (prothrombin G20210A)
• Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase mutation C6777T
• Hereditary haemochromatosis mutations
• Variegate Porphyria
• LDL receptor mutations
• Cystic Fibrosis

Cytology

PathCare provides results for Cytological specimens from both gynaecological and non-gynaecological samples. The former are from “Well women” within Cervical screening programmes (Pap smears or Liquid based Cytology (LBC), the latter generally being Fine needle Aspirates (FNA) samples from patients with suspected disease. In providing a cytological diagnosis, we aim to make as accurate prediction, as possible, of any follow-up histology.

Histopathology

PathCare provides a comprehensive Histopathology service. With over 40 specialist Histopathologists in South Africa, including specialist Dermatopathologists and Neuropathologists.

Facilities such as immunohistochemistry, specific stains such as CD20, E2 receptors for Breast tumours, Electron microscopy for Renal tumours and lots more are all offered on the PathCare platform.

Success indicators

• Excellent customer service
• Internal Quality controls
• Total Quality management systems
• Laboratory Quality Assurance
• Hardworking and competent staff
• ISO standards