The department of Biochemistry offers a comprehensive panel of tests in the areas of clinical chemistry, immunoassays (including hormones, tumour markers, anaemia and sepsis panel, heart failure markers, and antenatal risk markers such as Dual, triple, and quadruple markers), electrophoresis, autoimmune diagnostics, point of care testing, flow cytometry, and newborn screening. This menu is constantly being updated and expanded. Every day, the department tests 200 - 250 IPD samples and 800-1000 OPD samples. From April 2020 to March 2021, the total number of tests performed, including special tests, was 8,89,415 (approx).

Aside from the test, new developments in the Central Clinical Laboratory were recorded in 2021-2021. Capillary 2 FP (Sebia), Humablot 44FA (Human Diagnostics), and Immunofluorescence microscope have been installed in the department to advance medical technology. The Department of Biochemistry, in collaboration with the sample collection centre and the Department of CFM, conducted a hospital survey to assess the prevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV2 among health care workers under the supervision of the honourable Director, AIIMS Patna.

During World Kidney Week (11th March -18th March 2021), the Department of Microbiology organised a free blood test for security guards at AIIIMS Patna on a Dry chemistry auto analyzer Vitros 5600 (Ortho clinical diagnostics) installed in the Department of Microbiology in collaboration with Central Lab, Biochemistry to assess the kidney function tests of health care workers.

The year 2020 proved to be a difficult year for the entire human race, including the medical profession. The reason for this was the introduction of COVID 19. During this time, AIIMS Patna was designated as a COVID-only hospital. The OPD was closed, and IPD services were restricted to COVID19 patients. In order to contain the infection, new norms were introduced. Laboratory services were also impacted by the implementation of new guidelines such as social distancing, N95 masks, PPE kits, and so on. To avoid overcrowding, manpower was reduced in working areas. Many of the lab's health care workers tested positive and were advised to stay at home. With the implementation of lockdown and transportation restrictions, obtaining laboratory kits became a difficult task. Demand for diagnostic kits, which were previously scarce, skyrocketed. Ferritin, Interleukin-6, and Procalcitonin began selling like hotcakes, and timely availability of these kits to meet the increased demand became difficult. Many other parameters that were previously routinely performed took a back seat. Meeting requirements for tests comprising the COVID-19 profile (CRP, LDH, PT, APTT, ferritin, IL-6, Procalcitonin) became difficult for a time due to an increase in COVID19 cases during the summer of 2020. Newborn screening was discontinued due to a decrease in the number of hospital deliveries or post-partum mothers' hospital stays (48 hours). The use of APTL for IPD patients was also discontinued in order to reduce the mobility of hospital staff in order to collect bar-coded tubes for phlebotomy, thereby increasing the possibility of pre-analytical error. For MBBS, B.Sc. (Nursing), and PG students, the teaching mode was changed to an online platform. Things appeared difficult with the introduction of newer teaching learning methods, but in the end, we learned to adapt to circumstances and continued exploring newer avenues for further development while adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. COVID-19 taught us to prioritise tasks and manage with the fewest resources available. Webinars, Google Meet, Zoom, and other similar services have evolved into venues for holding meetings, updating information, and sharing knowledge.

Courses offered:1. MBBS: 125 students
2. B.Sc. (Nursing): 60 students
3. MD (Biochemistry)
4. PhD: To be started
5. B.Sc.: (MLT) to be started

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biochemistry@aiimspatna.org
Phone - 0612-2451201