CWM Hospital

Blood donation

In Fiji hospitals we need about 50 pints of blood every day for pregnant mothers with anaemia or bleeding, accident victims, patients with cancer, complications of diabetes and patients needing surgery to name a few. Blood is made up of several components – red blood cells, plasma and platelets. In the laboratory we separate the blood into these different components, under sterile conditions. Each component can then be used to treat a patient with a different condition, so one donation can help save 3 lives!

If you are male or female, between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg and you are fit and healthy, you can donate blood. It is safe for people with some illnesses and on some medications to safely donate blood, so if in doubt, please ask at your blood centre.
If you wish to donate blood you may do so at our blood bank department, located above the SOPD area at CWMH.

Donor service hours:
Monday- Thursday 8am to 4pm
Friday 8am-3.30pm
Weekends and public holidays 2pm to 5pm.

Laboratory Services
We offer a variety of laboratory services and also cater for requests and analyse blood samples received from health centres in the Central Eastern part of Fiji

Our services include:

Haematology:
The Clinical Hematology Laboratory performs a wide variety of basic testing on whole blood, serum and other body fluids

Blood bank:
This discipline carries out donor services and does cross match and blood group analysis.
Blood banking is the process that takes place in the lab to make sure that donated blood, or blood products, are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes typing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases.

Biochemistry:
This discipline involves the analysis of cells, blood and other body fluids for their chemical, biochemical and hormonal components. Biochemical tests are most often applied to samples of serum, plasma and urine where levels of specific chemicals are measured. An increase or decrease in any particular component(s) can help to identify a disease process.
Panels of tests can be used to assess the function of major body organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart. Specialized assays are used to measure the levels of various hormones in the blood.

Serology
Serologic tests are blood tests that look for antibodies in the blood. A serology blood test is performed to detect and measure the levels of antibodies as a result of exposure to a particular bacteria or virus.

Microbiology:
The investigation of infectious diseases is carried out in microbiology. The technicians working here look for specific bacteria, fungi and parasites that may be causing a patient’s symptoms. The work can involve growing (or culturing) a particular bacteria in an incubator that mimics the perfect environment for the microorganism, then examining the results under the microscope (microscopy). This lab also measures the susceptibility of the bacteria to antibiotics to help decide on treatment.

Our laboratory outpatients department is located next to our echo department (may access from SOPD entrance). Opening hours are
Monday- Thursday: 8am to 4pm
Friday- 8am to 3.30pm

Here at CWM we have 2 different pharmacies- inpatient and outpatient.

Our inpatient pharmacy is located near our paediatric department which also caters for paediatric outpatient prescriptions.
Our outpatient pharmacy is located near SOPD.

Normal working hours for the outpatient pharmacy are:
Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm
Friday 8am to 4pm
Saturday and Public holidays 8am to 1pm
Sundays- closed.
Once the outpatient pharmacy is closed, public are required to get their prescription medication from our inpatient pharmacy.

Please note that you are required to present your hospital number to the pharmacist and that your prescription form should have a review date for your next clinic date (if you are to be reviewed).

Our outpatient pharmacy caters for all hospital prescriptions as well as prescriptions from health centres as well as other private medical and dental clinics (given that the prescriptions have a government approval stamp)

CT services
Operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays and a prior appointment is required which is organised by your doctors.

Once you have an appointment for your scan you will be advised as to whether you require any specific preparation and we will go through the process with you then.

As a general guide you will be advised to not eat anything six to eight hours prior to your appointment if you are required to have Contrast. Contrast is a colourless fluid that is injected at the time of your scan to improve the definition of the images.

Your Medical Imaging Technologist will guide you through the whole process and you may be asked to remove metallic objects such as jewelry and hearing aids.

The CT MIT, who is trained in the use of X-ray equipment and CT scanning, will position you on the bed and take care of you throughout the scan. The MIT will need to leave the scan room briefly whilst it is in progress but will remain in contact with you via an intercom and a viewing window.

It is important that you keep still while the scan takes place. If you have difficulty lying flat, have poorly controlled pain or suffer from claustrophobia, please discuss this with us prior to your scan.

If you need to have Contrast for your scan this is given through a small needle that is placed in your vein. Injection of Contrast may give you a brief sensation of warmth throughout the body and maybe a metallic taste in your mouth. These sensations are expected and normal and are of no cause for concern.

After the examination, you are able to resume your normal activities.

Ultrasound services
Operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays and also caters for requests from health centers.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will need a referral/ request form from your doctor
Some ultrasound examinations need no preparation. Preparation is required for certain scans.

For early pregnancy, pelvic/ gynecological, kidney and prostate scans, your bladder needs to be full in order to optimally view your pelvic organs. The best way to achieve a full bladder is to first empty your bladder one and a half hours prior to your appointment. Then drink one litre of water (4–5 glasses) over the next half hour. Ingestion of water should be completed one hour prior to the examination. Please do not go to the toilet.

For scans of your abdomen, such as the gallbladder, it is important you do not eat or drink anything for six to eight hours beforehand.

The examination usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on the area to be scanned
Water-based gel is applied on your skin over the area to be examined. The Medical Imaging Technologist uses a transducer over the gel to scan and acquire images as required.

For pregnancy scans, as this is an important medical examination, it is best to give your Medical Imaging Technologist some time to focus on the examination before asking questions. You are not able to record your scan but ultrasound images can be copied and given to you after the scan.

Our xray services are located next to the emergency department. It is a 24 hour service (8am to 4pm normal working hours, with oncall hours thereafter)

Our xray department also caters for requests from health centres.
You need a referral form from your doctor to be able to get an xray done. You may bring in your request forms to our help desk located directly outside the xray rooms.
During off hours, please wait outside these Xrays rooms with your request forms and a medical personnel will assist you once these rooms are empty.

There is no specific preparation prior to undergoing an X-ray scan.
In general, you undress whatever part of your body needs examination. You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam, depending on which area is being X-rayed. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and any metal objects that can show up on the X-ray.

Once you are fully prepared, your Medical Imaging Technologist will tell you how to position your body to get clear images. The machine sends a beam of radiation through your body.

It is important to stay still while the images are being taken. This will provide the clearest images possible.

After the examination, you are able to resume your normal activities.

Results of your scan will be sent to your doctor as soon as possible

Our radiology department offers a variety of services such as
General Xray (operates 24 hours daily)
Ultrasound (operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays)
CT scan (operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays)
MRI (operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays)
Fluoroscopy (operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays)

Imaging is required to provide necessary diagnostic data to aid in clinical decisions.
We have a dedicated team working towards providing you with the best care around the clock.