Please indicate clearly on the request form if a test is required as an emergency analysis. It will then be prioritised and the report despatched, faxed or telephoned with the minimum of delay.
N.B. Seriously abnormal results will be automatically be telephoned.
Biochemistry - out of hours requests
Results will be generated based on the following priorities:-
Tests available urgently -
N.B. Biochemist/Medical staff are available at RLUH, for advice or arrangement of other urgent
investigations on ext 4236 (Monday-Friday 09.00 - 19.00 hrs and Sat/Sun 09:00 - 16:30).
Outside these hours the duty medic maybe contacted via the duty BMS (Biomedical Scientist) on ext 4235.
Haematology - out of hours requests
Results will be generated based on the following priorities:-
Bacteriology - out of hours requests
All requests for processing of urgent Bacteriology specimens out of hours must be either verbally notified to the laboratory (during the Restricted Service periods above) or to the on-call Biomedical Scientist via the switchboard (during the On-call periods above)
All emergency specimens should be clearly marked "URGENT" and sent via the pneumatic tube (RLUH specimens) or courier service (as appropriate)
Duty clinical microbiologists are available for medical advice. These can be contacted via switchboard
Urgent Microbiology Samples for Microscopy (Cell Count, Gram Stain and Culture) Out of Hours Please note that the Microbiology Laboratory is routinely staffed during the following hours -
For Urgent Requests outside routine hours, the on-call Microbiology Biomedical Scientst must be informed via switchboard. Arrangements for sample Failure to do so will result in samples not being processed as Urgent. During working hours (8am to 8pm Mon-Fri or 8am to 4:30pm Sat-Sun), porters should be asked to deliver samples to the Department or the POD system can be used (710 or 720). The lab staff may be contacted on ext. 4410 during these hours to alert them of urgent samples.
Virology - out of hours requests
Contact BMS directly for transplant and predialysis infection screens and all other on call requests for virology testing and clinical advice should go to the medical virologist
H&I - out of hours requests
Contact the on-call H&I Scientist via the Royal switchboard for all out of hours requests.
All emergency specimens should be clearly marked "EMERGENCY" and sent via the pneumatic tube (except for blood gases which MUST be sent via the emergency porter)
to the laboratory. Abuse of the emergency service can severly compromise a genuine emergency specimen.
(i)A&E/CCU/ITU, (ii) emergency samples from wards.
Blood -U&Es, glucose, gases, amylase, paracetamol, salicylate, osmolality
Troponin T (correctly timed)Urine -U&Es, osmolality CSF -glucose, protein
RLUH
With the exception of requests for transfusion, there is no need to
telephone the on-call MLSO until after midnight, ext 4330.
BGH
For ALL requests, please contact the on-call MLSO (LHCH ext 1293) before sending specimens.
LWH
All out of hours work is performed at the laboratory within the Royal Liverpool Hospital. There is an agreed
protocol for a member of staff to attend the LWH site if required. The contact number for this service if required is 0151 706 4330.
(i)A&E/CCU/ITU, (ii) emergency samples from wards.
Out of hours period = Mon to Fri 16.30 to 20.00 (Restricted Service) 20.00 to 08:00 (On Call); Sat/Sun/Bank-holiday 08:00 to 16:30 (Restricted Service) 16:30 to 08:00 (On Call)
transportation include using the Emergency Porters or POD System (444 / 420) for arrival at Clinical Chemistry (4th Floor Duncan Building).
Out of hours period = Mon to Fri 17.00 to 08.30; Fri 16.30 to Mon 08.30
For queries Monday to Friday 5pm to 8am and at weekends, please contact switchboard 0151 706 2000 and ask to be put through to the Virology laboratory mobile phone.
Out of hours period = Mon to Fri 17:30 to 08:30; Sat/Sun 08:30 to 08:30