Blood Sciences

What we do

The Department of Blood Sciences provides a 24 hour, 7 day acute service from the Ģ��tv��Ƶ General Infirmary and St. James’s University Hospital sites.

Information for given investigations and sample requirements can be found on the pathology tests and tubes database.

Clinical Biochemistry

For any enquiries regarding clinical advice, please contact the duty biochemist during core working hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00pm to 5:00pm) and on Saturdays 9:00am to 1:00pm. Outside of this, an on call Consultant Biochemist can be contacted for urgent clinical advice via LTHT’s main switchboard

Haematology

The Department provides a full repertoire of general Haematology tests. These include Haematology, Coagulation, and Morphology services. A minimal amount of work is referred externally.

Accreditation

Further information can be found through our Ģ��tv��Ƶ UKAS Accreditation Website Page.

Useful Information and Links

BSHC-FOR-178 – LTHT G6PD Referral Form

Blood Sciences Reference Ranges

A list of the references ranges for the results produced for tests run in blood sciences. NOTE: Reference ranges should also be present on the report received for all requested tests.

Pathology Standards for the Labelling of Requests Policy

Guidance on requirements for patient and test information for specimens and request forms (including the pathology specimen rejection policy).

Declaration of Inadequately Labelled Sample(s) Form

Form giving Instruction to analyse sample(s) when the Request Form and/or the Specimen does not meet the Trust’s Mandatory Labelling requirements.

This form declares that the signatory accepts responsibility for any clinical decisions that will be made on the basis of the results and that any Clinical decisions will be taken in the knowledge that the results may not belong to the patient.

Protocol and Restrictions to Add-on Tests

Timescale for analyte stability within the sample (time during which the test may be added on to an existing sample).

CSF Xanthochromia Collection Advice

CSF Xanthochromia is a second line test which can be useful in the diagnosis of SAH in patients with negative CT head.

The Kidney Failure Risk Equation is a risk prediction tool recommended by NICE for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3a-5 (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m2) to assess the risk of an individual needing kidney replacement therapy in the next five years. The five-year predictions may be used in primary care to counsel patients regarding referral to secondary care.

KFRE should be calculated at least on an annual basis in patients with CKD, but more frequently with more advanced disease.

Phlebotomy / Blood Testing