Laboratory information relating to changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be published on a separate page: Coronavirus: laboratory news and updates.
Note some links may be broken where content has subsequently been removed, and pages may have had further updates since those listed below.
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23 December 2021 |
Upcoming change to lipoprotein (a) reporting (units and comments). |
revision 2021.061 |
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14 December 2021 |
Change to urine albumin (ACR) reference range. |
revision 2021.060 |
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Change to alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes turnaround time. |
revision 2021.059 |
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30 November 2021
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Using Pathology efficiently - page updated. |
revision 2021.058 |
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Contact information updated on point of care testing page. |
revision 2021.057 |
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New revisions of Pathology Sample and Request Form Labelling Standards, Model Rules for Laboratory Porters, Couriers and Messengers |
revision 2021.056 |
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29 November 2021 |
Update to red cell acetylcholinesterase (change of referral laboratory). |
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revision 2021.054 |
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24 November 2021 |
Update to isoniazid, including change to required sample type. |
revision 2021.053 |
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23 November 2021 |
Update to eGFR. It is no longer recommended that the eGFR equation is adjusted for ethnicity.(NICE guideline NG203) |
revision 2021.052 |
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Change to Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S to define weak positive results. |
revision 2021.051 |
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11 October to end November 2021 |
Updating of site reflecting merger of BSUH and WSHT to form University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex). |
revision 2021.050 |
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2 November 2021 |
New revision of supplementary request form for adding biochemistry, haematology or immunology tests to samples already in the lab. |
revision 2021.049 |
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23 September 2021 |
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody testing available, for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 to assess eligibility for monoclonal antibody therapy. |
revision 2021.048 |
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21 September 2021 |
Due to the significant number of Covid-19 PCR and rapid testing samples, increasing restoration activity, and staff shortages due to vacancies, isolation and quarantine, the microbiology departments at UHSussex NHS Trust are working under extreme pressure. Please click here for measures that have been taken to deal with this, and how service users can help. |
revision 2021.047 |
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22 August 2021
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Changes to IGF-1 reference ranges due to test being brought in-house. |
revision 2021.046 |
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Changes to beta-2 microglobulin reference ranges due to test being brought in-house. |
revision 2021.045 |
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12 August 2021 |
From Wednesday 1st September there will be a change to blood sample requirements. Blood samples for copper, zinc, and selenium must be collected into new navy blue top trace element tubes. This ensures that they are free of environmental contamination. Please note that copper measurement is part of the abnormal liver function test screen so a navy top tube will be needed when this is requested in addition to the usual samples. These tubes can be requested from pathology stores along with the usual blood tube requests ( |
revision 2021.044 |
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3 August 2021 |
Addition of paediatric ranges for AMH. |
revision 2021.043 |
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20 July 2021 |
Change of referral laboratory for ethylene glycol and methanol. |
revision 2021.042 |
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New revision of Biochemistry telephoning ranges - click here. |
revision 2021.041 |
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13 July 2021 |
Change to buffer for rapid COVID testing (tube caps are now orange) - see Coronavirus (COVID-19) molecular testing |
revision 2021.040 |
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1 July 2021 |
Update to CSF dementia biomarkers. |
revision 2021.039 |
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29 June 2021 |
Further updates to DNA/genetic testing and genetic testing for Gilbert syndrome, Wilson disease, familial hypercholesterolaemia and haemochromatosis genetics to reflect tests being brought into South East Genomic Laboratory Hub. Note that haemochromatosis genetics can now be requested in Primary Care. Cystic fibrosis genetics added to listings. |
revision 2021.038 |
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22 June 2021 |
Blood culture bottles: We are currently unable to provide glass bottles, but will be sending out these plastic blood culture bottles instead. |
revision 2021.037 |
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21 June 2021 |
Routine COVID-19 antibody testing is no longer routinely available. For queries please email |
revision 2021.036 |
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CHANGE TO D-DIMER REFERENCE RANGES |
revision 2021.035 |
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20 June 2021 |
New revision of Haematology document "Summary of actions to be taken on abnormal results". |
revision 2021.034 |
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| Water Microbiology request form added to Environmental Microbiology Unit (EMU) page. |
revision 2021.033 |
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19 June 2021 |
Updates to Immunology content: specific IgE (TAT), referral lab changes for ANA Hep2 method, thyroid receptor antibody, liver antibodies, skin antibody, and update to tTG antibody. |
revision 2021.032 |
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14 June 2021 |
Update to CDT - please note this service is offered for clinical purposes only. |
revision 2021.031 |
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2 May 2021 |
Pathology ICE Upgrade 6th June 10:00 - 18:00 hrs ICE will be unavailable for looking up any historical or current results for 8 hours.
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19 - 25 May 2021 |
Updates to DNA/genetic testing and genetic testing for Gilbert syndrome, Wilson disease, familial hypercholesterolaemia and haemochromatosis genetics to reflect tests being brought into South East Genomic Laboratory Hub. |
revision 2021.030 |
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19 May 2021
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Acanthamoeba PCR information added to eye infection molecular detection page. Environmental Microbiology Unit (EMU) contact information updated. |
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4 digit telephone extension numbers updated with 6 prefix. |
revision 2021.028 |
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17 May 2021 |
Amend TAT for myeloproliferative neoplasm mutations |
revision 2021.027 |
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19 April 2021 |
Addition to plasma homocysteine - fasting samples preferred. |
revision 2021.026 |
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| Content for Environmental Microbiology Unit (EMU) updated. |
revision 2021.025 |
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31 March 2021 |
Update to prolactin (sample time clarification). |
revision 2021.024 |
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29 March 2021 |
New email address and order form for Pathology supplies from 1 April 2021. |
revision 2021.023 |
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16 March 2021 |
User guide available for pneumatic air tube transport system (PATTS, pod ststem) - click here. |
revision 2021.022 |
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3 March 2021 |
Update to contact numbers for Microbiology clinical advice. |
revision 2021.021 |
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2 March 2021 |
New revision of Instructions for Collecting Samples for Chain of Evidence Toxicology Analysis in Hospital Patients (click here to go to download). |
revision 2021.020 |
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1 March 2021 |
Update to NT-proBNP (links to NICE guidance updated, no changes to cutoffs). |
revision 2021.019 |
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17 February 2021 |
Samples for serum ACE are now being referred to Worthing Hospital for analysis. |
revision 2021.018 |
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15 February 2021 |
Addition of section on factors affecting test results to Biochemistry/ Immunology requests and results page. |
revision 2021.017 |
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13 February 2021 |
Correction to turnaround time for Fabry screen. |
revision 2021.016 |
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10 February 2021 |
Tacrolimus - addition to specify that a trough sample is required. |
revision 2021.015 |
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| Update to beta-2 microglobulin content. |
revision 2021.014 |
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8 February 2021 |
New revision of patient instructions for semen fertility check. |
revision 2021.013 |
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| New revision of Biochemistry telephoning ranges, downloadable under Reporting Results here. |
revision 2021.012 |
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| Thrombophilia screen updated. |
revision 2021.011 |
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4 February 2021 |
Updated links to MDA MoM content for chromium and cobalt. |
revision 2021.010 |
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1 February 2021 |
Immunohaematology updates to chromosome studies for haematological investigation, BCR-ABL, lymphocyte subsets and CD4/8 counts, and new page for myeloproliferative neoplasm mutations (replaces previous individual pages for JAK2, MPL and CALR mutations). |
revision 2021.009 |
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31 January 2021 |
Amended paediatric IgG ranges (see immunoglobulins). |
revision 2021.008 |
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Amended reference ranges for oestradiol and progesterone. |
revision 2021.007 |
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26 January 2021 |
Amended information on calcium creatinine clearance ratio (CCCR) - see urine calcium. |
revision 2021.006 |
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Addition to immunoreactive trypsin - not routinely available once the child has reached 6 weeks of age. |
revision 2021.005 |
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20 January 2021 |
As part of our ongoing quality improvement, the microbiology department has undertaken a review of urine samples received for routine microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MC&S). This confirmed that the use of the correct sample container increases the quality of the sample result. Therefore, please ensure urine samples for MC&S are submitted in a boric acid container. From February 2021 the laboratory will reject urine samples for MC&S unless they are in boric acid. Urines for tests other than MC&S should continue to be submitted in plain sterile containers. Some examples are given below:
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revision 2021.004 |
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CTX page unpublished. Please request P1NP instead (note any EDTA blood samples sent for CTX are no longer suitable for P1NP which requires serum). Please contact Duty Biochemist to arrange CTX if P1NP is not an appropriate alternative. |
revision 2021.003 |
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11 January 2021 |
Information added to general pathology specimens, requests, reports page, detailing criteria for acceptance and rejection of samples, and key factors which may affect the validity of a test. Additional information on factors affecting validity added to Haematology/ Transfusion specimens, requests, results page. |
revision 2021.002 |
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Update to Histopathology page (addresses and turnaround times for referred testing). |
revision 2021.001 |
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5 January 2021 |
Microbiology has achieved UKAS accreditation for its COVID PCR testing service. |
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From the end of 2020:
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23 December 2020 |
On the 23rd December 2020 the biochemistry laboratory will be changing the method used for serum LDH analysis. This is due to the production of the current assay being discontinued by our supplier. You can expect results to be approximately 50% lower compared to the previous assay. There will be a comment on all reports highlighting that the test has been run using the new assay and there will be new reference ranges in use. Please exercise caution when comparing results from the new assay to previous results. |
revision 2020.074 |
Advance notice of equipment upgrade in biochemistry, Jan 2021.A new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is being installed for our trace metal analysis. There will be a disruption to the service whilst this new piece of equipment is installed so turnaround times for serum copper, zinc and lead may be increased throughout January. Please contact the laboratory if any analysis is urgent. |
revision 2020.073 |