News & updates 2017

New revisions of some dynamic function tests (glucagon stimulation test for glycogen storage diseases, ischaemic forearm lactate & ammonia test, and water deprivation tests 1-3).

Addition of transport times to laboratory for viral load and resistance follow up.

Addition of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) to test index P.

Correction to tube type for direct antiglobulin test (DAT).

Addition to lithium therapeutic range (for maintenance therapy and elderly patients).

Updated turnaround times for alpha-1 antitrypsin (serum), beta-2 microglobulin and IgE.

New ketone meters mean sample type has changed for beta hydroxybutyrate (previously EDTA, now lithium heparin blood).

Addition of Haematology's "Summary of actions to be taken on abnormal results" document to Haematology information - click here.

Coagulation tests updated including amended turnaround time for referred Factor XIII - see coagulation factor assays, and addition of turnaround time for reptilase time.

8 August 2017

2 August 2017

5 July 2017

Amendment to serum levetiracetam - gel-free serum is now required therefore gold cap tubes no longer accepted by referral laboratory. Please send clotted blood in red cap tube.

3 July 2017

Paediatric reference ranges added for DHEAS.

21 June 2017

New revisions of glucagon stimulation test and insulin stress test following cortisol method change (see revision 2017.023).

19 June 2017

New revision of Viapath's genetics request form - see Karyotype.

7 June 2017

Advance warning of a reduced pathology service on Sunday 25 June from 11am – 3pm

BSUH service users please see infonet for details.

6 June 2017

Correction to IgG2 reference range (IgG subclasses) for up to 2 yr old age group.

5 June 2017

Amendment to IA-2 antibody reference range, addition of zinc transporter 8 antibody ranges, and amendment of GAD, IA2 and ZnT8 turnaround times.

31 May 201

New, more method-specific paediatric reference ranges for ALP, new male oestradiol range, new AMH reference ranges (changing from 10^th - 90^th to 2.5^th - 97.5^th percentiles).

Fax numbers no longer in use following changes to BSUH printers.

Updated Management contacts.

30 May 2017

Updated Haematology contacts.

Updated information on EMA test for red cell membrane abnormalities.

17 May 2017

Pathology supplies information updated. Due to printer updates at BSUH, orders should be emailed rather than faxed.

16 May 2017

New revision of BSUH DNA studies consent form.

Updates to blood chromium and cobalt. Serum is preferred for non-MoM indications.

10 May 2017

Ian Evans is interim Pathology Support Services Manager.

Clarification to age limit for immunoreactive trypsinogen.

8 May 2017

New cortisol method in use from today - see revision 2017.023 below.

3 May 2017

Frontier Pathology information for all RSCH clinical areas

Due to the second and final phase of our analyser upgrade in Biochemistry at RSCH there will be a reduction in workload capacity from Monday 8 May to Monday 5 June which may affect turn-around times for non-urgent requests.

In addition to this, between the hours of 3am and 4am essential daily maintenance will be performed which will reduce capacity further. Therefore during this hour it will be crucial to contact the Biochemistry laboratory prior to sending any 'critically urgent' samples. This will allow them to prioritise work and prevent delays in the reporting of critical results.

The Biochemistry bleep is: 8332
 
For further information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Deputy Head of Service, Blood Sciences.

26 April 2017

Advance notice: we will shortly be changing to a new, more specific serum cortisol method (planned go-live date 8.5.2017).

Reference ranges will change slightly and cut-offs in several dynamic function tests will be lower. Urine cortisol will be sent to an external laboratory as the new method is not suitable for urines.

25 April 2017

New revisions of protocols for Growth Hormone Response to an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test - see dynamic function tests.

24 April 2017

Latest news & updates module added to Pathology home page.

19 April 2017

Calcitonin - fasting recommended, not essential.

10 April 2017

Due to changes in the formulation of Lucozade it is no longer suitable as an alternative to Polycal in the Glucose Tolerance Test protocols (see dynamic function tests).

The protocols will be amended shortly - in the meantime please DO NOT use Lucozade for these tests.

_{(protocols amended 25.4.17 see revision 2017.022 above).}

Theophylline updated (additions to reference range and sampling information).

4 April 2017

NSE in-house from 10th April 2017

Gestational diabetes screening test (Lucozade screen) has been discontinued.

3 April 2017

Please ensure you send a lithium heparin blood if requesting amino acids - serum is no longer accepted by our referral laboratory for this test.

28 March 2017

Updated Microbiology & Infection on-call information.

22 March 2017

New revision of ICE Desktop application form for users from other trusts - see Pathology IT.

New revision of Pentagastrin test and Low Dose (overnight) Dexamethasone Suppression Test. See dynamic function tests.

20 March 2017

Essential upgrades in RSCH Biochemistry lab commencing 20 March

8 March 2017

Progesterone no longer routinely done with beta HCG in investigation of ?ectopic pregnancy - ranges removed.

28 February 2017

Renin/aldosterone dynamic function test protocol no longer in use as of 28.2.17. See separate renin and aldosterone entries.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This address is monitored by the histology secretaries who will direct the enquiry to the correct member of staff.

22 February 2017

We have been informed that there will be a temporary interruption to the Procollagen III (P3NP) service, likely to last from 22nd February to 13th March 2017 inclusive.

This is due to a worldwide shortage of radioactive iodine preventing the manufacture of kits. Unfortunately alternative methods do not give comparable results and cannot be used with the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) guidelines for monitoring methotrexate therapy.

Samples will continue to be accepted and forwarded, and the referral lab will be processing the backlog as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

*** Results are being received again as of 22.3.17 **

14 February 2017

7 February 2017

25 January 2017

17 January 2017

Dr Mehdi Mirzazadeh replaces Dr Andrew Iversen as Consultant Chemical Pathologist.