Basingstoke and north hampshire hospital pathology user handbook

Patient’s Full name - Surname and forename (initials are not acceptable)

Date of birth

Plus one of the following

• 
  NHS number
  
• 
  Hospital number
  
• 
  or in exceptional circumstances , patient’s address including post code
  

The labelling on the Request Card must match the labelling on the sample!

Also required is Collector's signature, date and time of collection and the signature of the requesting doctor

EXCEPTIONS

A&E shall use a unique patient number for patients who are brought in unconscious or unable to be identified. Follow trust procedure

Sexual Health shall use the unique patient number and date of birth due to patient confidentiality.

The Bone Bank shall use the Bone bank number and date of birth due to patient confidentiality.

Specimen Collection / Sample Requirements

It is important to use the correct specimen container and/or tube and take the sample at the appropriate time. If you have any doubts, please contact the department who will be happy to advise. Further information can be found in the departmental specific sections or in the test index at the rear of the handbook.

Urgent requests
All requests for work to be handled urgently must be made directly to the laboratory concerned by phone as soon as the sample is taken. It is the responsibility of the requesting doctor to take the sample and arrange for a porter to bring it to the laboratory (bleep charge hand porter on 1201). For Urgent samples from the community please discuss these with the relevant laboratory.
Phlebotomy service

Trained and experienced staff provide a phlebotomy service on the wards from 0700 to 1100 hr Mon-Fri. They have to follow a strict timetable and are instructed ONLY to collect samples which have been requested on to the Phlebotomy Round through the ICE system before 06.30. The phlebotomists do not collect for emergency tests, which must be organised by the requesting doctor.

Between 0800hr and 1700hr Mon-Fri a phlebotomy service is provided in the laboratory suite for ambulatory patients, both hospital and GP. Glucose tolerance tests are performed during the morning sessions and can be booked through the pathology office on ext 4751 (external line 01256 314751).
Training
Phlebotomy training is offered by the laboratory for nursing and phlebotomy staff within the district. A charge for this service is made to cover our costs. Contact Mr Ian Savill ext. 3283.