Is there a laboratory in Vasco that is open 24 hours?

Medically reviewed by our consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (MBBS, MS OBG). Last reviewed: 2 November 2026.

Is the laboratory really open at night?

Yes. The laboratory at Pai Hospital is open 24 hours, every day. It works through the night because the hospital does. Women in labour, patients after surgery and emergencies that arrive late at night often need blood tests, so the laboratory stays open around the clock.

Before you come for a test, call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check that your test is done here and how to prepare for it. The numbers are shown on this page.

Where is the laboratory in Vasco?

The laboratory is on the ground floor, inside Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. Directions are on our contact page.

Which tests are done in the pathology lab in Vasco?

The laboratory (pathology lab) uses automated analysers. These tests are done in-house, inside Pai Hospital:

• Complete blood count (CBC). Haemoglobin, white cells and platelets.
• Inflammation markers. CRP rises when there is inflammation or infection in the body. Procalcitonin rises mainly with bacterial infection and helps the doctor judge how serious an infection is. Ferritin shows the body's iron stores and also rises with inflammation. Together with the blood count, these make up the inflammation profile, and they can be run as urgent tests at any hour.
• Blood sugar. Fasting, after food and random.
• Kidney function. Urea, creatinine and uric acid.
• Liver function.
• Cholesterol (lipid profile).
• Electrolytes. Sodium, potassium and chloride.
• Urine analysis. Urine routine examination on an automated urine analyser.
• Culture and antibiotic-sensitivity tests. For urine and other samples.
• Vitamin D. The blood test for vitamin D level (25-hydroxy vitamin D).
• Thyroid profile. Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3 and T4).
• Fertility hormones. FSH, LH, AMH, oestradiol and progesterone.
• Beta-hCG. The blood pregnancy hormone test.
• Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation test.

Almost any other test your doctor asks for is also available at the laboratory. Some specialised tests are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer; the laboratory will tell you which ones.

Guides to each group of tests: thyroid and hormone tests, CBC, CRP and infection tests, blood sugar, HbA1c and cholesterol, liver, kidney and electrolyte tests, vitamin D, B12 and iron tests, the beta-hCG pregnancy blood test.

Are hormone tests done here too?

Yes. The laboratory has its own hormone (immunoassay) section inside the hospital. These hormone tests are done in-house:

• Thyroid profile. Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3 and T4).
• Fertility hormones. FSH and LH are hormones from the pituitary gland that control the ovaries. AMH gives the doctor an idea of the egg reserve in the ovaries; on its own it does not tell whether you can become pregnant. Oestradiol is the main female hormone made by the ovaries. Progesterone is made after ovulation; the doctor uses it to check whether ovulation has happened, and in early pregnancy. These are tests the doctor uses to understand your hormones and plan your care.
• Beta-hCG. The pregnancy hormone in the blood. It shows whether there is a pregnancy, and repeat tests help the doctor follow early pregnancy.

Some hormone tests are timed to a certain day of the menstrual cycle, or to the morning. The doctor will tell you which day or time is right for your test. If you are planning a pregnancy or fertility treatment, read about tests before IUI.

Are urine tests and cultures done here?

Urine routine examination is done on an automated urine analyser inside the laboratory. When the doctor suspects an infection, the laboratory also does a culture and antibiotic-sensitivity test, in-house, for urine and for other samples. An automated system identifies the bacteria that grow and checks which antibiotics work against them, so the doctor can choose a suitable antibiotic. If possible, give the sample before starting antibiotics, because antibiotics can stop the bacteria from growing in the test.

A culture report takes longer than a routine urine report, because the bacteria need time to grow. This usually takes a few days. The laboratory will tell you when the report will be ready.

Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation

Semen analysis is done in-house. It looks at the number, movement and shape of the sperm. The sperm DNA fragmentation test, also done in-house, checks what share of the sperm carry breaks in their genetic material (DNA). These are tests the doctor uses to plan fertility care for the couple. Usually you are asked not to have sex or ejaculate for a few days before the test; the laboratory will tell you exactly how to prepare and how to give the sample. Because results can vary from one sample to the next, the doctor may ask for a repeat test. Read more in sperm under the microscope. For doctors: from semen analysis to the treatment decision.

Why does a laboratory inside the hospital help?

Because the laboratory is inside the hospital, samples for routine tests do not have to travel to another building or another town. The sample is taken and tested inside Pai Hospital.

This matters most when care cannot wait for the morning: a woman in labour, a patient being prepared for surgery, or an emergency at night. The laboratory is part of the same hospital and keeps the same 24-hour day.

Who does the laboratory serve?

• Patients admitted to Pai Hospital.
• Emergencies, at any hour.
• Pregnant women and mothers in the maternity ward. See the first antenatal visit and maternity and delivery.
• Patients before and after surgery. See laparoscopic surgery in Goa.
• Fertility patients, including those of the Heartbeats IVF fertility clinics. See fertility treatment in Goa.
• Outpatients of Pai Hospital who need routine blood, urine and hormone tests.

How does the laboratory check its results?

Routine tests run on automated analysers. Every day, before patient reports are released, the laboratory runs quality-control samples with known values to check that each analyser is reading correctly. If a check is not right, it is corrected before patient samples are reported.

How soon are reports ready?

Most routine reports are usually ready within hours. Urgent tests for emergencies, deliveries and admitted patients are taken up first. Culture reports take longer, usually a few days, because the bacteria need time to grow. Specialised tests that are sent to a partner laboratory take longer; the laboratory will tell you when to expect them.

Do I need to prepare before coming to the laboratory?

Some tests, such as a fasting blood sugar or a lipid profile, need you to come without food; most tests do not. Bring the doctor's prescription or the list of tests, and any old reports.

Call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check a test or ask about preparation before you come. For how long to fast, what to eat and how to read your report, see blood test preparation and reports.

Who explains my report?

Your report is explained by the treating doctor. A value on a report is read together with your symptoms, your examination and your other results, so please do not start or stop any medicine based on the report alone. To understand common report terms, read blood test preparation and reports. If you are a patient of the hospital, the Pai Hospital Team goes through the report with you at your visit. See gynaecologist in Vasco.

What else is at Pai Hospital?

The laboratory is one department of Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. See all our services in Goa. Written and reviewed by the Pai Hospital Team.

Or call +91 77989 73345

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.