Pathology Service User Handbook GENERAL SERVICE INFORMATION FOR LABORATORY SERVICE USERS CONTENTS General Information Routine Laboratory Hours Request Forms Specimen Labelling BD Vacutainer Tube Guide BD Vacutainer Mixing Guide Urgent Specimens High Risk Specimens Computer access to results Laboratory Management Specific Service Information (in useful forms section under pathology) Clinical chemistry and reference ranges Haematology Blood transfusion Histopathology and mortuary service Microbiology and infection control Laboratory Hours Return to Main Index The laboratories are open at the following times: Page 2 of 7 Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Blood Transfusion at both North Tyneside and Wansbeck provide a service 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Microbiology core hours are 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday. Please refer to the Microbiology section of this handbook for details of out of hours cover. Histopathology core hours 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Mortuary (NTGH, WGH, HGH) core hours 08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. Please refer to Histopathology & Mortuary section of this handbook for details of out of hours cover. Hexham laboratory core hours are 08:30 to 20:30 with an on-call system operating out of hours. Request Forms Return to Main Index Almost all Pathology requests are now made using the ICE requesting system. ICE requesting sheets have four integral labels for specimens and also have a manual form on the reverse which should only be used in the event of system failure. 1. Haematology / Chemistry pouch 2. Microbiology pouch 1. Samples and ICE request forms for Haematology and Chemistry should be placed in the GREEN pouches. 2. Samples and ICE request forms for Microbiology should be placed in the BLUE pouches. 3. There is also a White pouch available for Histopathology samples Courier Bags Green Page 3 of 7 Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Histopathology (other than Gynae Cytology) Blue Microbiology, Immunology Pink Cervical Cytology All Courier Bags including the Pink Cytology Bags MUST be sealed before they leave the Practice. This will facilitate the timely and secure transport of specimens to the correct laboratory and ensure that the correct specimens accompany the correct request, to the correct location. Blood Transfusion requests should continue to be made using the existing Transfusion request forms. Specimen Labelling Return to Main Index All specimens must be fully labelled and accompanied by the correct request form. Specimen Labelling Requirements To comply with Trust Policies and the Safer Practice Notice NPSA/2009/SPN002, the NHS number must be given on all correspondence etc. All specimens must be labelled with; First Name and Surname Date of birth NHS or Trust number and should have Date and time of specimen Location All request forms must give; NHS number Full patient name Trust Number (for hospital patients only) Date of birth along with Location Date and time of specimen Requesting Doctor/Practitioner and Consultant/GP All appropriate Clinical Information relevant to tests requested If urgent tests are required – please telephone the laboratory To assist with handling of abnormal results out of hours, all GP request forms should give the patient’s address and a contact telephone number. Page 4 of 7 If not using electronic requesting, all copies of any manual request form must be labelled (preferably using printed labels). Ensure location, Consultant/GP and name of requestor also are written on the form. Unlabelled or inadequately labelled specimens will not be processed in anything but very exceptional circumstances. If the NHS number is not available the reason should be stated on the request form and the specimens will be analysed as usual if otherwise compliant with the above policy e.g. Scottish residents, migrant workers, members of the armed forces, prisons etc. Any requests/specimens failing the above criteria will be subject to IR1 reporting. NOTE: The special requirements for Blood Transfusion specimen & request labelling remain unchanged. Please refer to Blood Transfusion Handbook Adhere ICE generated labels to bottles such that the blood level is visible. Labels wrapped around tubes can interfere with laboratory procedures and are NOT acceptable to all departments (e.g. Blood Transfusion bottles and forms MUST be handwritten). All HIGH RISK specimens MUST have hazard stickers attached to both specimen and request form. Page 5 of 7 BD Vacutainer Tube Guide (including Order of Draw) BD Vacutainer Mixing Guidelines Page 6 of 7 Return to Main Index Urgent Specimens Urgent specimens should be sent or taken to the laboratory as soon as possible. Please warn the relevant department by telephone or by person that an urgent sample is on its way. Write URGENT on the request form or use stickers where provided. High Risk Specimens Refer to department specific handbooks for detailed guidance. Computer access to results (Hospital) Return to Main Index The Trust has 2 contacts within pathology who can assist with problems relating to the use of the Pathology results system. Should you require a password, user id or help on how to use the system, please contact one of the following : Joanne Campbell Wansbeck ext 3721 Garry Swinton Hexham ext 5011 Laboratory Management Return to Main Index Telephone Number Business Unit Director Dr Colin Doig Ext 2597, North Tyneside General Manager Nicky Moon Ext 2552, North Tyneside Pathology Manager Mike Carr Ext 4005, North Tyneside Operational Services Manager Beth Godwin Ext 4005, North Tyneside Clinical Governance Lead Anne Bivona Ext 4005, North Tyneside Page 7 of 7