Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Urgent SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV

Suitable Specimen Types

Sputum BAL NPA Nose and Throat Swab

Urgent SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV

Specimen Volume

Viral transport media. Minimum volume of 300uL for Sputum/BAL/ETA/NPA

Specimen Transport

Sample should be sent to the laboratory as soon as possible

Turnaround Time

Within 24 Hours (routine) and 1hr15 (urgent) from receipt in laboratory

Sample Stability

If transport is delayed, sample can be refrigerated for up to 8 hours

General Information

Please Note: For urgent testing, please send nose or nose/throat swabs in VTM, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirate or endotracheal aspirate. 

Please note: This assay is not currently UKAS accredited. 

If you require urgent SARS-Cov-2 testing, please contact the laboratory extesion 13306 for an urgent priority number. 

If you are unsure or require advice; contact the laboratory using extension number 16534 during normal working hours or via switchboard at other times.

 

Results: are communicated electronically to Bed Management Teams and Infection Control.

 

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.

Specifications

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

Creation Date

Thursday, 20 August 2020

Modification Date

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

General Information

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Location of Laboratories

Where the laboratories are located and information about the services offered at each laboratory

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Copyright UHB Pathology 2025

Protection of Personal Information – Pathology Laboratories 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.

The laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital form part of the services provided by University Hospitals Birmingham and are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. Laboratories are currently transitioning across to ISO 15189:2022 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
  • United Kingdom Health Security Agency laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8213

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: https://qehbpathology.uk/test-database 

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962/ 0121 424 1235