Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Calcutta launches Sputum Lab

Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Calcutta on Sunday announced the launch of Induced Sputum Lab, thereby becoming the first hospital in private healthcare space in Eastern India to bring in Induced Sputum Cell Count, an astounding diagnostic modality for treating lung diseases. It would be highly beneficial for patients suffering from severe asthma.

Induced Sputum Cell count is a non-invasive method that primarily identifies the type of inflammation associated with severe asthma, thus making the introduction of appropriate treatment more precise. Without the Sputum Cell count, the presence and type of airway inflammation can be difficult to detect which can delay the proper treatment.

Induced sputum cell counts evaluate the presence, type, and degree of inflammation in the airways of the lungs. It is a procedure used for patients who have trouble producing sputum spontaneously by helping them to cough up secretions. This is done by creating extra moisture in the airways of the lungs, which loosens and thins out secretion so that coughing out sputum is easy.

The sputum induction test is a painless procedure. It involves breathing in different concentrations of saline (mild salty water) through a nebuliser and then carrying out cough-like movements to produce a sample of sputum. The nebulised hypertonic saline solution inhaled by the patient liquefies airway secretions, promotes coughing and allows expectoration of respiratory secretions.

Present at the occasion, Dr Saibal Moitra, Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant-Allergy Immunology, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Calcutta said, “Induced Sputum cell counts have the advantage of providing information about the cellular nature of inflammation in patients with severe asthma. This aids in treatment decisions. The application of induced sputum in the assessment of airway pathology has grown rapidly. In the current guidelines for asthma, sputum eosinophils are placed as an evidence-based tool for assessing airway inflammation and, therefore, predicting and assessing corticosteroid response.”

The induced sputum lab of Division of Allergy and Immunology of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Calcutta is going to be beneficial for all patients suffering from severe asthma or those who are not showing adequate response to therapy can be assessed by this test to decide about the right choice of medicines.

It was in 1983, that Dr Prathap C. Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.

Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 71 Hospitals, 3,300 Pharmacies, over 90 Primary Care Clinics and 150 diagnostic centres, 110 plus Telemedicine Centres, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of new medical advancements with the most recent investment being the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.

Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives in its mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organisation. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C. Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010.

For 35 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services. Telegraph India