Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Suitable Specimen Types

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Specimen Volume

MC&S: minimum vol. of 0.5mL required. For TB PCR/culture: minimum of 10.0mL.s required.

Specimen Transport

Samples must be sent with a porter. CSF samples must not be sent via the Sample Delivery System, (SDS).

Turnaround Time

Microscopy Results: ASAP Final Culture Reports: within 5 Working Days.

Sample Stability

If transport is delayed, sample should be stored at ambient room temperature

General Information

  • In suspected cases of meningitis or where urgent analysis is required, CSF should be sent immediately to the laboratory in a sterile universal container.
  • A cell count and Gram film will be carried out and reported to the requesting clinician as a priority. If TB, viral or parasitic investigations are required, this should be clearly stated on the request form.
  • If subarachnoid haemorrhage is suspected, the first and third samples should be sent, (examination for Xanthachromia is performed by Biochemistry).

 

 

Results: For routine CSF samples, microscopy results will be released to PICS as soon as analysis has been completed. Final culture reports are issued within 5 working days. Please discuss with the Clinical Microbiologist or Virologist if further test required.

 

Information Sharing: If your sample needs to be referred or a notifiable disease is detected from your sample, your details and sample may be shared with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is a legal requirement. The UKHSA is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

 

Patient Preparation

Samples that are heavily blood stained or clotted will not be counted.

Reference Range

Please contact laboratory for information regarding Reference Range.

Specifications

  • EQA Status: Enrolled to UK NEQAS scheme
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Modification Date

Friday, 23 February 2024

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Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962