Investigations

A test ordered during your consultation

The doctor enters the order at the end of the consultation. A Guest Relation Executive then explains what has been ordered and completes the billing, so the amount is settled before the test is carried out. Prices are not published on this site, so ask the executive for the cost of each test if you want it itemised.

The same executive walks you to the area where the test is done and hands you over to that department's team or nurse. You are not left to find it yourself. Afterwards the executive tells you when the report will be ready.

There can be waiting at the busier times of day, particularly for ultrasound, CT and MRI.

Before a CT or MRI scan, tell the staff these things

Say these to the radiology technician, or to the Guest Relation Executive with you, before the scan starts and not after:

• You have an implant or metal in your body, such as a pacemaker or a plate
• You have ever reacted to the contrast dye used in a CT or MRI scan, or you have other allergies
• You have had a CT scan in the last three months
• You are pregnant, or think you might be
• You find enclosed spaces or loud noise hard. The MRI scanner is a closed tube and it is noisy. Staff can talk you through it, but only if they know beforehand.

How long the test itself takes

These are times for the test, not for the visit. Add the waiting.

• Blood and other samples: a few minutes to collect
• Ultrasound: about 30 minutes
• CT coronary angiogram: up to 30 minutes, including the preparation beforehand
• MRI: about an hour for each scan

Getting your report

A text message goes to the mobile number you registered when a report is ready. Reports are released only after a pathologist, a radiologist or your consultant has checked them, which is why a result is not handed over the moment the machine finishes.

The hospital's own statement is that most laboratory results are available within 24 hours of the sample reaching the laboratory. Some tests take longer by their nature, such as cultures that have to grow and tissue studies that have to be processed.

You can view or download the report by logging in to the patient portal or the VHealth mobile app with the user ID and password you were given at registration, and you can collect the hard copy when it suits you. Your consultant sees the same report in the hospital's electronic record and advises you from it.

If you feel worse while waiting for a report, do not wait for it. Come to the emergency department or call 040 4699 9999.

If the patient is already admitted

The admitting consultant may order investigations. Later in the stay, the duty medical officer or the nurse looking after the patient may raise a change with the consultant, who then orders a test. Either way the duty medical officer or the nurse enters the order in the system, so if you are the attendant and want to know what has been ordered and why, they are the people to ask.

Laboratory samples are taken in the room and sent to the laboratory. For a radiology or cardiology test, the nurse books the slot with that department, confirms it before the patient is moved, prepares the patient and goes with them.

Patients who are too sick to be moved have the procedure done at the bedside, and that is the rule for every patient in the critical care units. If a critical care patient does have to be taken elsewhere for a test, the duty medical officer goes with them and stays until the test is finished and the patient is back in the room.

Having a sample taken at home

The laboratory collects samples at home on request. Call +91 40 4699 9999 to ask whether your address is covered, what it costs and when a phlebotomist can come.