Institute of Medical Laboratory

1. History of formation and development

• The Institute of Medical Testing was established by Decision No. 4796/QD-BM dated August 19, 2025, of Bach Mai Hospital, based on the merger of testing units throughout the hospital, aiming to build a modern, centralized, and specialized organizational model.
  From its inception, the Institute has been oriented towards becoming a core paraclinical unit, playing a central role in organizing, coordinating, and developing the testing system. The Institute aims to standardize according to international standards, promote the application of science and technology, especially in the fields of molecular biology, gene therapy, stem cells, and precision medicine, contributing to improving the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and scientific research at the Hospital.

2. Organizational structure

The Institute of Medical Testing is organized according to a centralized management model, including:

2.1. Institute Leadership

• Director
• Deputy Directors

2.2. Subordinate Units

• Institute Office
• Department of Biochemistry
• Microbiology Department
• Center for Pathology and Cytology
• Center for Gene Therapy and Precision Medicine

Management positions are appointed by the Hospital Director in accordance with regulations. The organizational structure is built on a specialized and interconnected approach across different testing fields, ensuring efficiency and synergy in operation.

3. Operating mechanism

The Institute of Medical Testing operates under the direct leadership of the Director of Bach Mai Hospital.

• The Director is fully responsible for the organization, operation, and quality of the Institute's activities.
• The Deputy Directors and heads of subordinate units are responsible for their assigned areas of expertise.
• Departments, divisions, and centers operate according to their assigned functions and tasks; they are under the direct supervision of the Institute's leadership.
• The institute implements a clear division of responsibilities and authority, ensuring there is no overlap in tasks and improving the efficiency of management and operation.
• The Institute plays a coordinating, inspecting, supervising professional work, and managing quality control for the entire hospital's laboratory system.
• The hospital's testing units are guided and coordinated by the Institute in terms of expertise, personnel, equipment, supplies, and reagents.

The Institute also collaborates closely with units inside and outside the Hospital, contributing to improving the efficiency of medical examination and treatment, training, and scientific research.

4. Functions and responsibilities

4.1. Function

• The organization conducts medical testing activities to serve medical examinations, treatment, emergency care, disease prevention, training, and scientific research.
• Serving as the focal point for advising the Board of Directors on the organization of the testing system, professional management, quality management, biosafety, and technology application.
• Developing and applying advanced technologies such as molecular biology, gene therapy, stem cells, and precision medicine.
• Establish and develop tissue and stem cell banks for treatment and research purposes.
• Coordinate and provide professional support for laboratory testing throughout the hospital.
• Participate in training, scientific research, guidance of lower-level healthcare facilities, and international cooperation in the field of medical testing.

4.2. Tasks

a) Laboratory professional activities

• Receiving, processing, and preserving patient samples, and performing tests according to proper technical procedures, ensuring quality and timely results.
• Serving the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, prognosis, screening, prevention, and control of infectious diseases.
• Provide advice on test selection and interpretation when necessary.
• Implementing new techniques, specialized techniques, and advanced techniques.

b) Organizing and coordinating the testing system

• Establish a centralized testing system and standardize pre-testing, testing-intestinal, and post-testing procedures.
• Coordinate professional activities between units within the Institute and the entire Hospital.
• Effectively manage human resources, equipment, supplies, chemicals, and laboratory data.

c) Quality and safety management

• Establish and maintain a quality management system in accordance with international standards (ISO 15189 or equivalent).
• Implement internal and external quality control, monitor for errors, and pursue continuous improvement.
• Ensuring biosafety, chemical safety, infection control, and workplace safety.

d) Training and scientific research

• Participate in undergraduate, postgraduate, continuing education, and practical training programs.
• Implementing and participating in scientific research projects; applying new technologies to practice.
• Organizing scientific conferences, seminars, and research collaborations domestically and internationally.

e) Guidance and technology transfer

• Providing advice on establishing a testing network; offering professional support to healthcare facilities.
• Technology transfer, development of professional documentation, and continuous training.

f) Digital transformation and data management

• Applying information technology and artificial intelligence in laboratory testing.
• Building, connecting, and utilizing laboratory test data for medical diagnosis, treatment, and management.

g) International cooperation

• Participate in cooperation programs with organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally, as regulated.

h) Other tasks

Perform tasks assigned by the Hospital Director.