Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Routine viral respiratory testing.

Suitable Specimen Types

Dry Blood Spot

Routine viral respiratory testing.

Specimen Volume

Viral transport media

Specimen Transport

Sample must be sent to the laboratory within 3 hours of collection

Turnaround Time

Within 24 hours

Sample Stability

If transport is delayed, sample can be refrigerated for a maximum of 12 hours

General Information

Nose/throat / nasopharyngeal /oropharyngeal swabs for this test must be received in 1ml or 3ml viral transport media.

For routine viral respiratory testing, the following viruses will be tested using the Hologic Fusion assay: 

  • Sars-CoV-2
  • Influenza A
  • Influenza B
  • RSV A/B

An extended respiratory panel is available for Haematology and transplant patients which includes these additional viruses:

  • Adenovirus
  • Rhinovirus
  • Human Metapneumovirus
  • Parainfluenza 1,2,3,4

If a comprehensive respiratory virus screen is required, e.g. for CCU immuno-compromised patients, please refer to BioFire Filmarray Respiratory Panel.

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.


Accreditation: This respiratory testing is currently carried out using a platform, which is not currently UKAS accredited.

Specifications

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

Related Tests

BioFire Filmarray Respiratory Panel

Creation Date

Thursday, 28 September 2023

Modification Date

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

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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