Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Influenza A

Suitable Specimen Types

NPA Nose and Throat Swab

Influenza A

Specimen Volume

3ml

Specimen Transport

Sample must be transported to laboratory as soon as possible

Turnaround Time

Within 24 hours

Sample Stability

If transport is delayed, sample can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours

General Information

Throat swabs or nasopharyngeal aspirates for Influenza A, Influenza B, RSV, Sars-CoV-2 test must be received in 3ml viral transport media.

Please Note: If a comprehensive respiratory virus screen is required, e.g. for immuno-compromised patients, samples must be collected in a different tube.

If you are unsure; 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 scheme
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Tags

Influenza

Related Tests

Influenza B Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Creation Date

Monday, 19 November 2018

Modification Date

Thursday, 22 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