Urgent Samples
The department must be contacted by the requesting doctor (after the specimen has been obtained) on ext 88257 or via the RWT switchboard. The request will be processed on receipt in the hub laboratory. Clinical advice may be obtained from the Consultant Microbiologist on-call via switchboard for your specific trust.
Urgent Specimens during normal working hours-
(8am – 10pm, 7 days/week):
Specimens will be processed urgently if the department has been contacted or the specimen type is deemed critical by specimen / test protocol.
If a report, such as the results of microscopy, is urgently required, the doctor should write ‘please telephone’ within clinical details along with the contact bleep or extension number (and also preferably telephone the laboratory to warn them that the specimen is on its way). The result will be telephoned to the doctor as soon as it is available. A request for a telephoned result should only be made when the result is likely to alter the immediate management of the patient.
Urgent Specimens – out of hours
The following guidelines will help assess the appropriateness of requests for urgent out of hours investigations for the department of Microbiology (10pm – 8am, 7 days / week).
Serology:
Hepatitis B surface antigen
This test can usually wait until the next working day. Exceptionally some requests may be authorised after referral to the duty Consultant Microbiologist (available via switchboard).
Other serology
In rare instances other serological investigations may be indicated, e.g. HIV antibody; in such cases please contact the duty Consultant Microbiologist (available via switchboard).
Microscopy and culture:
Urine (Paediatric and Adult)
This test is routinely processed by next working day. Urgent requests can be processed up to 10pm each day, please telephone the laboratory before sending your urgent request.
Tissue/Body / Joint Fluids
Fluid samples, we recommend that the sample is inoculated into blood culture bottles, and the remaining provided in universal containers. Tissue samples, please send in a sterile universal container. These tests are processed by the next working day. Exceptionally, where results are urgent and may change patient management (e.g. necrotising fasciitis) please contact the laboratory via switchboard.
Corneal Scrapings
These tests are routinely processed by next working day. Exceptionally, where results may change patient management please contact the laboratory via switchboard.
Cerebrospinal fluid
This type of specimen will always be processed urgently if sent to exclude meningitis. All requests must be marked with contact details for the result.
Nose / Throat Swabs and Nasopharyngeal aspirates for SARS-CoV2, RSV / Influenza testing
Point of Care testing is available within all Emergency Departments for SARS-CoV2. RSV and Influenza A & B are available seasonally (November – April).
Rapid SARS-CoV2, RSV and Influenza PCR is available at every site 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week, seasonally (November – April) These are tested within the Essential Services Laboratories at Dudley, SWBH and Walsall and within the Hub Laboratory at Wolverhampton. Out of season SARS-CoV2 only is available at every site. Urgent investigations for RSV and Influenza are occasionally available after discussion with the duty Consultant Microbiologist at each trust during working hours (9am – 5pm). Please refer to the Inpatient Flu Protocol for further information.
