Kisco Pala

What happens in the laboratory

The laboratory handles the everyday tests a doctor orders while working out what is going on: blood counts, blood sugar, liver and kidney profiles, thyroid tests, lipid profiles, urine and stool examinations, and cultures. Samples are collected at the centre or at your home, labelled at the point of collection, and processed in-house. A few specialised tests are sent on to our Pala laboratory.

• Bring the prescription or request form from your doctor.
• Ask us in advance whether your test needs fasting. Many, though not all, do.
• The blood collection itself usually takes a few minutes.
• Reports can be collected at the branch counter.

If you are unsure which test you need, that decision belongs with your doctor. Our staff can tell you how a test is done, what preparation it needs and what it costs, but not whether it is the right test for you.

Chemistry you can count on

Routine and special biochemistry runs on two Beckman Coulter platforms. The DxC 500i is an integrated clinical chemistry and immunoassay analyser - dual technology on one machine, with continuous sample and reagent loading, intelligent quality control and STAT processing for urgent samples. Alongside it, the AU480 delivers up to 400 photometric tests an hour, with an ISE module for electrolytes and barcode-based sample identification.

• Blood sugar, urea, creatinine, uric acid and electrolytes
• Liver and renal function panels
• Lipid profiles for heart risk assessment
• Calibration and quality control run automatically, every day

Continuous loading and minimal manual handling keep the workflow fast, so most routine reports are ready the same day.

Blood counts, done properly

Haematology runs on a Sysmex 6 part differential analyser - the same family of machines used by leading reference laboratories. It counts and sizes every cell line in your blood, runs automatic quality control and calibration before every batch, and flags abnormal cells for a technologist to review under the microscope.

• Complete haemogram with 6 part differential
• ESR, peripheral smear and blood grouping
• Advanced abnormal cell flagging
• Reliable, reproducible results for every patient

The sensitive tests

Hormones, vitamins, cardiac markers, tumour markers and infectious disease serology need highly sensitive detection. These assays run on advanced chemiluminescent immunoassay systems from Beckman Coulter and Roche at our Pala head office.

• Thyroid, fertility and other hormone panels
• Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3
• Tumour markers such as PSA and CEA
• Cardiac markers, with rapid STAT processing when time matters
• Fully automated processing with exceptional accuracy and precision

Samples are collected at every KISCO centre and processed at Pala, so the same standard applies wherever you visit.

Cross-sectional imaging, available round the clock

The CT scanner at our Pala centre is a 16 slice machine with 32 image reconstruction, and it runs 24 hours a day. CT builds a cross-sectional picture of the body from X-rays taken around you, and is used for the head, chest, abdomen, spine, sinuses and bones, in planned investigations as well as in emergencies.

• The scan itself takes a few minutes. You lie still on a table that moves through the ring.
• Some scans need a contrast injection. If yours does, you will be asked about kidney function, allergies and any previous reaction first.
• Contrast studies usually need a few hours of fasting beforehand.
• Tell us before the scan if you are pregnant or think you might be.
• Bring earlier scans and films if you have them, as comparison helps.

A radiologist reports the images. Take the report and films back to the doctor who advised the scan.

The CT desk runs 24x7. Call 04822 212 197 or 99612 11333 to book a scan at any hour.

Early detection is the best cure

Our Lilyum mammography unit is dedicated breast imaging equipment - not an adapted X-ray machine - built to pick up early breast changes when treatment works best.

• High resolution digital breast imaging
• Enhanced detection of early breast changes
• Low dose radiation technology
• Comfortable, unhurried patient positioning
• Every study reported by an expert radiologist

If you have noticed a lump, or are due a routine screening mammogram, you do not need to wait - walk in or book ahead.

Sharper pictures, smaller dose

Our X-ray rooms use digital radiography with a wireless, lightweight DR detector panel. There are no cassettes and no processing time - the image appears on the console in about 25 seconds.

• High image quality with improved resolution and clarity for faster, more accurate diagnosis
• Advanced dose reduction technology for better patient safety
• Faster workflow and shorter waiting
• Chest, abdomen, spine, bone and sinus studies

Films, CD and email delivery of images are all available.

One image, complete assessment

A full leg full spine (FLFS) scanogram captures the entire spine or lower limb in a single digital exposure, so the orthopaedic specialist can measure alignment precisely instead of piecing together separate films.

• Single examination for complete assessment
• High resolution digital technology
• Low dose digital X-ray
• Precise anatomical alignment analysis for scoliosis and limb length studies

Imaging without radiation

Ultrasound at our Pala centre runs on the Mindray DC-80 with the X-Insight intelligent imaging platform - crystal clear 2D and colour Doppler imaging, advanced 3D/4D, and shear wave and strain elastography for characterising lesions without a needle. At Erattupetta, scanning is done on the Sonoscape P40 Elite, with contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), micro flow imaging, a full HD monitor and 3D fetal face visualisation.

• Abdomen, pelvis, thyroid, breast and small parts
• Colour Doppler studies of vessels, including carotid screening
• Pregnancy scans with 3D/4D fetal imaging
• Follicle monitoring for fertility treatment
• USG guided FNAC and biopsy

A small sample, examined under the microscope

FNAC, or fine needle aspiration cytology, draws a small sample of cells from a lump using a thin needle. A biopsy takes a slightly larger piece of tissue. Both are done when an examination or a scan has found something a doctor wants identified: a thyroid nodule, a breast lump, an enlarged lymph node or a swelling under the skin. The service is available at our Pala centre.

• It is an outpatient procedure and usually takes a few minutes.
• Local anaesthetic is used where it is needed.
• Tell the doctor beforehand if you take blood thinning medicine.
• Ultrasound is sometimes used to guide the needle to the right spot.
• Expect mild soreness or a small bruise for a day or two afterwards.

A pathologist examines the sample and issues a report. Your treating doctor reads it and will explain what it means and what follows.

3D dental imaging for precision diagnosis

Dental imaging runs on a NewTom system combining Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) with digital panoramic OPG - exceptional image quality at ultra low radiation exposure, for accurate diagnosis and confident treatment planning.

• High resolution 3D CBCT imaging
• Digital panoramic (OPG) imaging
• Precise implant planning
• Orthodontic and maxillofacial imaging
• Endodontic and periodontal assessment
• TMJ and sinus evaluation
• Fast, comfortable, patient friendly scanning

The OPG report is provided the same day, and the CBCT report at the earliest possible. Films, CD and email delivery are all available.

The five minute heart check

Every KISCO centre records digital ECGs on GE MAC series machines - the MAC 600 at Pala and Erattupetta, and the MAC 400 at Ramapuram. One touch operation, high quality waveforms and automatic measurements mean an accurate trace with no waiting around.

• Resting 12 lead ECG, recorded in minutes
• Automatic ECG measurements, checked by our team
• Accurate and reliable performance
• Reports handed over the same visit

How well are your nerves conducting?

A nerve conduction study (NCV/NCS) measures how fast electrical signals travel along your nerves - the standard way to investigate numbness, tingling, weakness and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic neuropathy. At KISCO it is performed on the Salus 4C EMG system by RMS.

• Accurate assessment of nerve function
• Early detection of nerve damage
• Non surgical, performed using advanced technology
• Quick, safe and reliable

We come to you

For elderly patients, anyone recovering at home, or simply a busy morning - our technicians collect samples at your doorstep, and reports follow the usual same day schedule. We also run a sample collection centre near the private bus stand at Kottaramattom, Pala.

• Pala - 90721 45954
• Erattupetta - 86062 72793
• Vaikom - 80780 04598
• Ramapuram - 95629 55900

Call the number for your area and we will fix a convenient time before anyone travels.