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Blood

In general the following blood collection bottles are required (colour reference is Greiner Vacuette® system only, other systems may vary). The collection tube required by test is given in section 5.9. Please contact the laboratory if you are unsure of the correct collection tube.

Urine Collections

Bottles for 24 hour urine collections can be obtained from the Clinical Biochemistry Department. Different preservatives are required for different analyses. Please ensure that ward staff/portering staff/patients who are sent to collect containers know which analyses will be required. Please ensure that patient information on the specimen bottles is complete before they are returned to the laboratory.

Add-on Tests

• QEHB inpatients and outpatients: Please send a request form with the patient’s details and tests required, clearly stating it is an add-on request.
• Moseley Hall Hospital, St Mary’s Hospice, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and GP surgeries: Please telephone extension 16543 to request additional tests.

Please note that add-on tests will not be dealt with urgently. Due to sample storage procedures within the department, it may not be possible to access a sample quickly, if an add-on result is required urgently, it may be more appropriate to re-bleed the patient.

Please be aware that due to varying in vitro stability of analytes, it may not be possible to add-on further tests.

Please call extension 16543 to discuss if required.

Specific Analyses

The Department of Clinical Biochemistry performs the majority of routine assays in-house. A small number of specialist assays are forwarded on to centres elsewhere in the UK although advice and interpretation will always be available locally.

The Department of Clinical Biochemistry has particular expertise in; the investigation of diabetes mellitus, lipid disorders, gastroenterology, rheumatology, tumour markers and endocrinology. An extensive analytical service is provided within the Diabetes Centre.