STAFF
Dr. Muhanna Al Muslahi, Sr. Consultant, Director of Medical Laboratories & Head of Haematology
Dr. Sulayma Al Lamki, Sr. Consultant, Dpty Head of Haematology
Dr. Arundathi P. Kurukulasuriya, Sr. Specialist-Haematopathologist
Dr. Muna Al Riyami, Sr. Specialist Paediatric Haematopathologist
Dr. Sabria Al Hashami, Sr. Specialist in Transfusión Medicine
Dr. Adhra Al Mawali, PhD, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer
Mr. Alexander G. Rowan, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer (Accreditation Manager)
Mr. Hussain Ali Al Lawati, Sr. Technical Supervisor Routine Haematology (Asst. CMBS)
Ms. Abeer Ahmed Al Balushi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Haemoglobinopathy
Mr. Rashid Hafidh Al Ghaithi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Hemostasis & Thrombosis
Ms. Hind Khamis Al Balushi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Stem cell Support Unit
Dr. Muhanna Al Muslahi, Sr. Consultant, Director of Medical Laboratories & Head of Haematology
Dr. Sulayma Al Lamki, Sr. Consultant, Dpty Head of Haematology
Dr. Arundathi P. Kurukulasuriya, Sr. Specialist-Haematopathologist
Dr. Muna Al Riyami, Sr. Specialist Paediatric Haematopathologist
Dr. Sabria Al Hashami, Sr. Specialist in Transfusión Medicine
Dr. Adhra Al Mawali, PhD, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer
Mr. Alexander G. Rowan, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer (Accreditation Manager)
Mr. Hussain Ali Al Lawati, Sr. Technical Supervisor Routine Haematology (Asst. CMBS)
Ms. Abeer Ahmed Al Balushi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Haemoglobinopathy
Mr. Rashid Hafidh Al Ghaithi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Hemostasis & Thrombosis
Ms. Hind Khamis Al Balushi, Sr. Technical Supervisor Stem cell Support Unit
Ms. Halima Wali Mohd Al Balushi, Sr. Technical supervisor Blood Transfusion
Technical supervisors – 4
Senior Laboratory Technologists – 12+
Laboratory Technologists – 18
Nurses – 2
Phlebotomists – 3
Laboratory Technologists – 18
Nurses – 2
Phlebotomists – 3
CLINICAL ACTIVITIESThe Haematology & Blood transfusion section is divided into 7 subsections:
Routine Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Flow Cytometry, Hemostasis & Thrombosis, Haemoglobinopathies, Haematology Treatment Room and Stem Cell Support Unit.
Routine Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Flow Cytometry, Hemostasis & Thrombosis, Haemoglobinopathies, Haematology Treatment Room and Stem Cell Support Unit.
Routine Haematology
This subsection processes about 550,000 tests per year including full blood counts, blood films, G6PD assay, Sickle cell index, Malaria parasite screening, ESR and Heterophil antibody screens. The automated full blood count analysers in the section are 2 Abbott CD Sapphires and 2 BD Sedisystem ESR machines interfaced to the hospital information system. Multiskan plate reader system for ELIZA assays is also operational. Bone marrow and Cytochemistry staining is also performed in this area (370 per year).An automated slide making and staining facility will also commence soon.
Blood Transfusion
Approximately 110,000 tests per year are performed using solid gel systems which include blood groups, antibody screens, identifications and titres. In addition to direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, autoantibody screening, elution studies, red cell phenotype, Kliehaur test and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinurea (PNH). The subsection has two Diamed ID Gel Station linked with Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Haemostasis & Thrombosis
About 70,000 tests per year are processed in this area. Two Sysmex CA1500 coagulation analysers handle a work load of coagulation profiles, factor assays, warfarin/ heparin monitoring, thrombophilia, DIC, lupus and VWD screens. The sub-section also has a PFA100 analyser for platelet function screens and Bio/DATA PAP-8 analyser for platelet aggregation studies. ELIZA techniques for collagen binding, anti cardiolipin antibodies, inhibitor studies, Bethesda and heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Haemoglobinopathy
This subsection runs about 15,000 samples using High Power Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology on 2 Biorad Variant II analysers. Acid and alkaline Hb electrophoresis techniques are performed on Helena SPS plus analyser. In addition, Iso-Electric Focusing is available for globin chain identification.
The sub-section also runs a Quality Assurance (QA) programme for D-10 HPLC. The eleven regional hospitals in Oman participate in this national QA programme, so that standards are maintained in this methodology used in the diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies.
Flow Cytometry
This subsection processes around 500 lymphocyte subsets and 250 bone marrow immunophenotypings per year for haematological malignancies. New tests have been introduced to detect minimal residual disease (MRD), leukocyte adhesion deficiency and PNH. More tests will commence in 2012 such as: chronic granulomatous disease testing, perforin level to diagnose haemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis and anti D measurement in haemolytic disease of the newborn. The Coulter 5-colour FC 500 flow cytometry is employed for this purpose and soon an additional 10-colour flow cytometry will be introduced to meet the increasing demand.
Blood TransfusionApproximately 110,000 tests per year are performed using solid gel systems which include blood groups, antibody screens, identifications and titres. In addition to direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, autoantibody screening, elution studies, red cell phenotype, Kliehaur test and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinurea (PNH). The subsection has two Diamed ID Gel Station linked with Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Haemostasis & ThrombosisAbout 70,000 tests per year are processed in this area. Two Sysmex CA1500 coagulation analysers handle a work load of coagulation profiles, factor assays, warfarin/ heparin monitoring, thrombophilia, DIC, lupus and VWD screens. The sub-section also has a PFA100 analyser for platelet function screens and Bio/DATA PAP-8 analyser for platelet aggregation studies. ELIZA techniques for collagen binding, anti cardiolipin antibodies, inhibitor studies, Bethesda and heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Haemoglobinopathy
This subsection runs about 15,000 samples using High Power Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology on 2 Biorad Variant II analysers. Acid and alkaline Hb electrophoresis techniques are performed on Helena SPS plus analyser. In addition, Iso-Electric Focusing is available for globin chain identification.
The sub-section also runs a Quality Assurance (QA) programme for D-10 HPLC. The eleven regional hospitals in Oman participate in this national QA programme, so that standards are maintained in this methodology used in the diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies.
Flow Cytometry
This subsection processes around 500 lymphocyte subsets and 250 bone marrow immunophenotypings per year for haematological malignancies. New tests have been introduced to detect minimal residual disease (MRD), leukocyte adhesion deficiency and PNH. More tests will commence in 2012 such as: chronic granulomatous disease testing, perforin level to diagnose haemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis and anti D measurement in haemolytic disease of the newborn. The Coulter 5-colour FC 500 flow cytometry is employed for this purpose and soon an additional 10-colour flow cytometry will be introduced to meet the increasing demand.Haematology Treatment Room
This area carries out about 150 apheresis procedures per year in addition to venesections and bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies.
Stem Cell Support Unit
This facility will support the autologous stem cell transplant program at Royal Hospital. In addition, the cellular therapy service will be available for Neurosurgery, Orthopeadics and Cardiology. The stem cell Unit is equipped with the latest technology including; a centralized stem cell culture, processing & manipulation laboratory, CliniMacs Cell Separation system for enrichment of CD34 and graft engineering, LN2 storage unit, a controlled rate-freezing system for cryopreservation and an independent flowcytometry facility within the stem cell support unit for enumeration and characterization of stem cells. A team led by a Sr. technical supervisor was trained in several centers abroad to enable commencement of work in the unit as early as possible in 2012.
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMME
This area carries out about 150 apheresis procedures per year in addition to venesections and bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies.
Stem Cell Support Unit
This facility will support the autologous stem cell transplant program at Royal Hospital. In addition, the cellular therapy service will be available for Neurosurgery, Orthopeadics and Cardiology. The stem cell Unit is equipped with the latest technology including; a centralized stem cell culture, processing & manipulation laboratory, CliniMacs Cell Separation system for enrichment of CD34 and graft engineering, LN2 storage unit, a controlled rate-freezing system for cryopreservation and an independent flowcytometry facility within the stem cell support unit for enumeration and characterization of stem cells. A team led by a Sr. technical supervisor was trained in several centers abroad to enable commencement of work in the unit as early as possible in 2012.
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMMEThe comprehensive UKNEQAS (UK) external quality assurance program is subscribed to and applied in all areas of laboratory investigations. RCPA (Australia) program is implemented for immune- phenotyping (flowcytometry) since 2010.
RESEARCH
The Research Council (TRC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Health (MOH) is funding a study on “Detection of leukaemic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)”. The study is being conducted in Royal Hospital, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. This study uses immunophenotypic identification methodology of leukaemic stem cells. The research team is led by Sr.Technical Supervisor FCM. The results of this project will have an immediate impact on the treatment of patients with AML as a significant number of patients at risk of relapse will be identified early and offered alternate potentially life-saving therapeutic strategies such as stem cell transplantation. The results of the project will also help decide national protocols for AML management and policies for prevention and control of relapse in AML.
DATABASES
The need to mainatin databases on the different haematological diseases has been identified and one for chronic myeloid leukaemia is complete. The database for Myeloma is being made. OMSB trainees and junior staff are given an opportunity to familiarize themselves with medical statistics and also develop research interests early in their careers by being in the different groups attending to these developing databases.
PUBLICATIONS
Kurukulasuriya AP, Hamed AA, Muslahi AM-Acquired pure red cell aplasia caused by parvo virus B 19 infection following a renal transplant.SQUMJ May 2011; 11: 280-3
Yahiya M, Kurukulasuriya AP ‘Haematology Quiz’ Oman Medical Journal, 2009:24;145-6
Kurukulasuriya AP, Muslahi AL M, Rashdi Al A – Four cases of Hairy cell leukaemia from Oman. Sultan Qaboose University Hospital Medical Journal. 2008:8;331-8
Kurukulasuriya AP, Muslahi AL M, Rashdi Al A – Four cases of Hairy cell leukaemia from Oman. Sultan Qaboose University Hospital Medical Journal. 2008:8;331-8
ACCREDITATION OF THE LABORATORY
The Haematology Laboratory is recognized by the Royal College of Pathologists UK as suitable for the training of Omani doctors within the framework of the Oman Medical Specialty Board. The Ministry of Health approved accreditation of the laboratory with ISO 15189 standard, in order to obtain international recognition of our laboratory, to improve patient care and improve management of available resources. A task force is in place with a manager, who is in the process of documenting the laboratory processes necessary for accreditation. These will be reviewed and integrated with a quality management package and subsequently the testing and audit functions will be done. We expect completion by mid 2012.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone: 00968-24599702
Fax: 00968-24590298
The Haematology Laboratory is recognized by the Royal College of Pathologists UK as suitable for the training of Omani doctors within the framework of the Oman Medical Specialty Board. The Ministry of Health approved accreditation of the laboratory with ISO 15189 standard, in order to obtain international recognition of our laboratory, to improve patient care and improve management of available resources. A task force is in place with a manager, who is in the process of documenting the laboratory processes necessary for accreditation. These will be reviewed and integrated with a quality management package and subsequently the testing and audit functions will be done. We expect completion by mid 2012.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone: 00968-24599702
Fax: 00968-24590298
