Diagnostic Services in Pokhara — X-Ray, USG, ECG, Echo & Lab at A&B Hospital
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. At A&B International Hospital, Pokhara, a full range of diagnostic services — digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, echocardiogram, laboratory investigations, and an on-site pharmacy — are available under one roof, with same-day results for most tests and 24/7 emergency diagnostic access.
What Diagnostic Services Are Available at A&B International Hospital?
A&B Hospital offers digital X-ray, ultrasound (USG), 12-lead ECG, echocardiography, a full clinical laboratory covering blood, urine and stool analysis, and an on-site pharmacy. Emergency diagnostics run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no appointment required in urgent cases.
Digital X-Ray
Digital radiography at A&B produces high-resolution images within minutes. The system eliminates film processing delays and allows radiographs to be reviewed immediately by the attending clinician. Chest X-rays, skeletal X-rays, abdominal films, and dental views are performed routinely.
Radiation exposure from a single chest X-ray is approximately 0.1 millisieverts — equivalent to about ten days of natural background radiation. Digital systems reduce repeat exposures because image quality is adjustable without re-scanning.
Common indications at the Pokhara clinic include chest infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis), fractures, foreign body localisation, and pre-operative workup.
Ultrasound (USG)
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of soft tissues and organs. There is no ionising radiation, making it safe for pregnant women, children, and repeated examinations.
Types of ultrasound performed at A&B include abdominal USG (liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, pancreas), pelvic USG (uterus, ovaries, bladder), obstetric scans (dating, anomaly, growth, Doppler), thyroid ultrasound, scrotal/testicular ultrasound, and musculoskeletal scans.
Preparation varies: abdominal scans require 4–6 hours of fasting; pelvic scans require a full bladder; obstetric and thyroid scans require no preparation.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
A 12-lead ECG records the heart’s electrical activity from twelve positions on the chest and limbs. The procedure takes approximately five minutes, is painless, and requires no preparation. Results are available immediately.
ECG is indicated for chest pain evaluation, palpitations, syncope, pre-operative cardiac screening, and routine review in patients with hypertension, diabetes, or a history of cardiac disease. ECG identifies arrhythmias, heart blocks, ST-segment changes indicating ischaemia or infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy, and right heart strain patterns.
Echocardiography (Cardiac Echo)
Echocardiography applies ultrasound specifically to the heart to assess chambers, valves, wall motion, ejection fraction, and pericardial effusion. Unlike ECG, which records electrical signals, echo visualises the physical structure and function of the heart.
At A&B, 2D echocardiography with colour Doppler is available. This modality is essential for evaluating heart failure, murmurs, suspected valve disease, hypertension-related cardiac changes, and pre-surgical cardiac clearance.
Clinical Laboratory
The A&B laboratory processes blood, urine, and stool samples with turnaround times ranging from thirty minutes (basic blood tests) to four hours (culture sensitivity, serology). Core panels include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): haemoglobin, red cells, white cells, platelets
- Renal Function Test (RFT): creatinine, urea, electrolytes
- Liver Function Test (LFT): bilirubin, ALT, AST, albumin
- Blood glucose: fasting, random, post-prandial, HbA1c
- Lipid profile: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
- Thyroid function: TSH, T3, T4
- Urine routine examination and culture
- Stool routine examination
- Widal test, Typhidot, dengue NS1 and IgM/IgG, malaria antigen
- HIV, HBsAg, HCV screening
Results for emergency patients are prioritised. ECHS-empanelled patients receive cashless processing for all approved laboratory investigations.
How Does Early Diagnosis Improve Health Outcomes?
Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin before disease causes irreversible organ damage, reduces the cost of care by avoiding complex interventions, and improves survival rates for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and cardiac disease.
In the Pokhara population, routine screening consistently identifies undiagnosed hypertension, type 2 diabetes, anaemia, and thyroid dysfunction. Many patients present with significantly elevated blood pressure or blood glucose levels that have been asymptomatic for years. Without routine diagnostics, these conditions progress silently to stroke, kidney failure, and cardiovascular events.
Who Qualifies for ECHS Cashless Diagnostics at A&B?
Serving and retired armed forces personnel and their dependants enrolled in the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) receive cashless diagnostic services at A&B International Hospital. Covered tests include the full laboratory panel, digital X-ray, ECG, echocardiography, and ultrasound investigations listed in the ECHS schedule.
ECHS cardholders should present their card at registration. No prior referral is required for emergency diagnostics. For routine investigations, the ECHS referral slip from the parent polyclinic should accompany the request where applicable.
Can Diagnostic Tests Be Done Without an Appointment?
Walk-in diagnostics are accepted for ECG, basic blood tests, urine examination, and X-ray during OPD hours. Ultrasound and echocardiography benefit from advance booking to ensure equipment and sonographer availability, though same-day appointments are frequently available. Emergency diagnostic services operate continuously without appointment requirements.
What Same-Day Results Are Available?
The following tests return same-day results at A&B:
| Investigation | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|
| ECG | Immediate |
| X-ray | 15–30 minutes |
| Blood glucose, CBC | 30–60 minutes |
| Urine routine | 30–60 minutes |
| Typhidot, dengue NS1 | 1–2 hours |
| LFT, RFT, lipid profile | 2–4 hours |
| Ultrasound (with report) | 30–60 minutes |
| Echocardiogram (with report) | 60 minutes |
Culture sensitivity results require 48–72 hours.
What Is the Role of the On-Site Pharmacy?
The A&B pharmacy stocks prescription medications, over-the-counter products, wound care supplies, and diagnostic consumables. Having a pharmacy on-site reduces the delay between diagnosis and treatment initiation — particularly important for conditions such as infections, acute pain, and cardiac events where immediate medication is required.
ECHS-covered medications are dispensed against valid prescriptions from the hospital’s empanelled doctors. The pharmacy operates during hospital hours and emergency medications are available 24/7.
How to Book Diagnostic Services
Phone bookings are accepted at +977 061-412512. Walk-in patients are served on a first-come basis during OPD hours. Emergency patients are seen immediately at any hour.
For health check-up packages that combine multiple investigations in a single visit, refer to the full body check-up page.
Book Your Diagnostic Tests at A&B International Hospital
A&B International Hospital
Pokhara-02, Bindhyaabasini Way to Sarangkot
Phone: +977 061-412512
Digital X-ray, USG, ECG, echocardiogram, full laboratory, and pharmacy services — all under one roof, with same-day results and 24/7 emergency diagnostic access. ECHS cashless diagnostics available.
