Cytogenetics Website
Taking and sending blood samples
All BLOOD samples should be sent in Lithium Heparin containers (green or orange top)
All specimen containers must be clearly labelled by hand in CAPITAL LETTERS (Printed labels will NOT be accepted) with the following information:
- Surname
- Forename
- Date of Birth
- Hospital number
- NHS number
- Ward
- Location and date of collection
Request forms must be filled in with clear and legible writing (use printed labels whenever possible on request forms) stating the following information:
- Surname
- Forename
- Date of Birth
- Sex
- Hospital number
- NHS number
- Patient's home address
- Ward
- Date of collection
- Address (including postcode) of hospital/GP surgery
- Consultant
- Relevant clinical details
- Investigation required
- Doctor or deputy signature
IMPORTANT
It is the responsibility of the requesting Doctor to ensure that specimens and request forms are correctly labelled.
Incorrectly or unlabelled specimens WILL NOT be processed by the Laboratory and will be considered a RISK INCIDENT. Details will be forwarded to the Health and Safety Co-ordinator to identify problem areas.
Please note
• The final decision on whether to accept a specimen will lie with the Head of the Laboratory.
• Sample Collection: It is the responsibility of the person (doctor, nurse or phlebotomist) taking the sample from the patient to ensure that the specimen container is correctly identified.
• Transportation of Specimens: It is the responsibility of the person transporting the specimen to ensure that it arrives promptly and undamaged at its destination.
• The laboratory responsibility begins when the specimen arrives at Cytogenetics/Pathology. The Cytogenetics Unit can only act upon the information provided and upon the accuracy of that information.
Samples with High Risk of Infection
• It is important that known high risk of infection specimens are appropriately labelled. This will allow the laboratory to make a suitable risk assessment, and apply relevant local precautions in respect of trainee and junior staff, pregnant staff, and those who have recently given birth, so as to ensure staff health safety and welfare.
• In order to comply with existing Health & Safety Advisory Committee guidelines and legislative requirements, the use of ‘danger of infection’ labels for specimens known or suspected to carry a blood born virus is strongly recommended.
• Request cards that are incomplete can lead to delays in processing, or the wrong test being carried out.
• Request cards can be obtained from:
Cytogenetics Unit,
St. James’s Hospital,
Beckett St.
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Tel 0113 206 5419 or can be downloaded.
• Samples should be sent in sealed plastic bags, with the request card protected from the sample.
• The plastic bags should be placed in taped boxes containing appropriate padding and packing.
• All referrals should clearly show the address of the Leeds Cytogenetics laboratory.
ALL PACKAGES MUST CONFORM TO POST OFFICE REGULATIONS
(copies are available from the Post Office)
It is the responsibility of the person transporting the specimen to ensure that it arrives promptly and undamaged at its destination.
Samples can be sent by first class post, by taxi, by the hospital shuttle service or delivered personally. Please ensure the sample reaches us without delay, as increased transport times affect the quality of the specimen.
Last Updated 5/2/08