Department structure

Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics (Ostrava University Hospital)

The Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics (with premises at Ostrava University Hospital) integrates laboratory work from four disciplines: clinical biochemistry, clinical hematology, clinical pharmacology and laboratory nuclear medicine – all based at the same laboratory complex.

The Centre conducts around 90% of all laboratory tests at the Hospital, many of them on a round-the-clock (24/7) basis. In addition to routine biochemical, hematological and immunoanalytical laboratory testing, the Centre also uses highly specialized laboratory methods.

The Centre is accredited by the Czech Accreditation Institute in accordance with ČSN EN ISO 15189:2007 (accredited laboratory no. ML 8026) as a medical laboratory.

The Centre’s main areas of work are:

  • diagnosis, treatment and preventive care
  • teaching and education (undergraduate and postgraduate)
  • research

The Centre’s main educational activities are:

  • teaching for the University of Ostrava’s Faculty of Medicine (Master’s degree in General Medicine, numerous Bachelor’s degrees) and Faculty of Science (selected Master’s degrees)
  • teaching for the National Centre for Nursing and Non-Medical Health Care in Brno and the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education in Prague – in the fields of clinical biochemistry, clinical hematology and transfusion medicine, clinical pharmacology and nuclear medicine laboratory methods (especially practical training in specialist areas)
  • involvement in teaching/training programmes organized by the Ostrava University’s Hospital’s Staff Training and Care Department

The Centre is a co-holder of accreditations granted to the Ostrava University Hospital (Czech Republic Joint Accreditation Commission, JCI), and also holds the following accreditations:

  • Czech Republic Ministry of Health: for training medical professionals in the specialist field of clinical biochemistry
  • Czech Republic Ministry of Health: for the practical part of the specialist training programme for medical laboratory assistants in clinical biochemistry
  • Czech Republic Ministry of Health: for the practical part of the specialist training programme (with the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education in Prague) for laboratory methods in nuclear medicine
  • Czech Republic Ministry of Health: for the practical part of the specialist training programme for bioanalysts in clinical biochemistry, hematology and transfusion medicine (pending)
  • Czech Republic Ministry of Health: for the specialist training programme in clinical pharmacology for medical professionals (pending)

Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine provides a foundation for teaching medical chemistry, medical biochemistry and clinical biochemistry. The Institute currently teaches courses for the General Medicine programme at the Faculty, as well as various Bachelor’s health care degrees (in conjunction with the Department of Chemistry at the University’s Faculty of Science). It also teaches courses in medical and clinical biochemistry in conjunction with the Science Faculty and the Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics – which provides practical and theoretical instruction in biochemistry and clinical biochemistry for the General Medicine programme at the Faculty, as well as various Bachelor’s health care degrees (especially the degree training medical laboratory assistants).

Institute of Microbiology and Immunology

The Institute of Microbiology and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine covers two separate disciplines (microbiology and immunology) and two clinical specializations (medical microbiology/allergology and clinical immunology). These disciplines and specializations are taught as separate courses for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students. Allergology and clinical immunology are interdisciplinary fields with elements of both clinical and laboratory practice. The course in clinical immunology presents the latest knowledge in the field, with a special focus on the basis of immunopathological processes; it also creates a knowledge base for working at clinical immunology laboratories. The Institute teaches courses in general microbiology and specialist medical microbiology (virology, bacteriology, mycology and parasitology). Lectures for all degree programmes at the Faculty acquaint students with basic theoretical and practical aspects of modern medical microbiology including the key methods of isolation and identification in determining the role of infectious agents contributing to the initiation and progression of infectious illnesses and diseases. The lecturers are renowned medical professionals and scientists, many of them leading figures in the Czech and international professional community. The Institute also teaches courses in hyperbaric medicine and medicine for divers; these courses are unique in their scope and their focus on the potential practical application of the principles underlying these treatment methods. Teaching at the Institute is based on the latest knowledge in microbiology and immunology, and makes extensive use of multimedia technologies, online materials and e-learning resources. Research at the Institute focuses on the specialist fields of its members and makes use of the Institute’s state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to carrying out research at its own laboratories, the Institute also collaborates with other clinical workplaces in the city of Ostrava. Staff regularly publish their results in professional periodicals and present their work at international conferences and similar events.

Institute of Medical Biology and Genetics

The Institute of Medical Biology and Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine provides a platform for the Faculty’s teaching of medical and molecular biology, clinical genetics and genetic toxicology. The staff of the Institute include experts from the Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Medical Genetics at Ostrava University Hospital, and the University of Ostrava’s Faculty of Science. The Institute currently teaches courses in medical biology and genetics for the General Medicine degree programme at the Faculty of Medicine, plus other Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in non-medical health care fields. Research at the Institute currently focuses mainly on the specialist activity of the Department of Medical Genetics at Ostrava University Hospital.

Institute of Medical Biophysics and Medical Information Technology

The Institute teaches courses in biophysics and IT for students of the General Medicine degree programme and non-medical health care degrees. Its main contribution is to reflect the latest technological developments in these fields. Teaching at the Institute mainly takes the form of blended learning: all courses (for both full-time and part-time students) are supported by e-learning resources.

Institute of Laboratory Hematology and Transfusion Medicine

The Clinical Hematology Department at Ostrava University Hospital conducts hematological and hemocoagulation tests to the highest standards. The laboratories are equipped with modern analytical technology for purposes of laboratory diagnostics in the field of hematology. The basic laboratory methods are subject to a system of internal auditing, supplemented by a nationwide system of external quality control. External quality certificates are available at the Centre for Clinical Studies of Ostrava University Hospital, and can be viewed on request. The Clinical Hematology Department works closely alongside other centres providing specialist hematological care. In addition to its diagnostic work, the Department also provides teaching and is involved in research activities.

The Clinical Hematological Department provides the following services for in-patient and out-patient units at the Ostrava University Hospital and other institutions:

  • basic hematological tests based on patient samples (blood, bone marrow, other biological materials)
  • routine coagulationation and hematological tests
  • special coagulationation and hematological tests
  • consultation services in laboratory and clinical hematology

The Department consists of the following sections:

  • Routine coagulation section – carries out basic hemocoagulation tests for pre-operative screening, thrombophilic diagnostics and monitoring of anticoagulation treatment.
  • Special coagulation section – carries out special coagulation testing for monitoring anti-aggregation treatment, monitoring hemophilia treatment and hemocoagulation disorders.
  • Blood imaging section – carries out testing for blood imaging, using certified diagnostic and hematological analytical equipment made by leading global manufacturers (including dyeing equipment). The system enables the laboratory to carry out hematological tests for a wide spectrum of blood components.
  • Morphology section – carries out morphological testing of blood periphery and bone marrow including special cytochemical dyeing, digital processing and archiving of selected morphological findings.
  • POCT (Point-of-care testing) section – carries out precise monitoring of laboratory testing conducted at the point of care.

The Clinical Hematology Department is represented on the University Hospital’s working groups for special morphology, primary hemostatis disorder diagnosis, and care of patients with thrombocytopenia.


Updated: 05. 02. 2018