Pune: Progress and Innovation Mark Pathology Department’s Advances in Pimpri Chinchwad On The Occasion Of Vijayadashami

Pimpri, 23rd October 2023: Over the last two years, the Department of Forensic Medicine initiated a significant change by sending human organ samples after post-mortem examinations to the post-graduate institute. This transformation, combined with other factors, has resulted in a notable increase in the workload of pathology departments within postgraduate institutions. In response, the introduction of automated equipment in every sub-department, including the central laboratory, has paved the way for immediate access to accurate examination reports for patients and their families.

Dr. Tushar Patil, the chief pathologist of the laboratory department, shared insights into these advancements. The areas of Hematology, Histopathology, Biochemistry, Cytology, and Autopsy have all undergone modernization, with errorless reports generated through various automated devices, playing a vital role in the pathology department’s operations.

In celebration of Vijayadashami, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation conducted a ceremonial worship of various departments and materials, including state-of-the-art machinery like the fully automatic tissue processor, penta-head microscope, and grossing workstation. Dr. Tushar Patil, the head of the laboratory department at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, presided over the worship, taking the opportunity to provide information about the laboratory’s functions.

The event witnessed the presence of several key figures, including Biochemistry expert Dr Meena Sonawane, Public Relations Officer Prafulla Puranik, Blood Transfusion Officer Dr Shankar Mosalgi, and Laboratory Technicians.

The equipment essential for laboratory operations in the histopathology, haematology, and biochemistry departments was also part of the ceremonial worship. These departments play a critical role in conducting post-operative tests, including blood, urine, and sputum analyses, ultimately guiding further medical treatment.

In 2019, the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation established a postgraduate institution, initially admitting 24 postgraduate students annually in seven subjects. Subsequently, in 2020, six postgraduate students were enrolled every year in the Department of Surgery and Medicine. By 2023, this extended to 12 students gaining admission in the departments of Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Respiratory Diseases. Previously, the histopathology department manually processed around 2,500 samples of human organs, taking two to three days to prepare the slides. With the introduction of automated equipment, the department now manages 4,500 to 5,000 samples annually, significantly reducing turnaround time. Dr Patil highlighted that even the 450 to 500 human organ samples coming in for examination after autopsy are now efficiently processed and reported to the police department promptly.

The laboratory holds a pivotal role in performing various tests, from analyzing blood samples to aiding patients with severe illnesses. Dr. Meena Sonawane, a biochemistry technician, noted that the sample inspection system checks and reports on over 1 lakh samples each month, a feat made possible through the use of automated systems.

Dr. Tushar Patil expressed gratitude for the valuable cooperation from various department officers in modernizing the laboratory and its machinery, including Commissioner Shekhar Singh and Additional Commissioner, Principal Dr Rajendra Vable.