Sample Sorting

Urgent Samples

Urgent Microbiology

Most of these samples will be delivered inside a cannister.
CSF
Pleural Fluid
CAPD Fluid
Coneal Scrape (Slides and Plates)
Eye Plates
Joint Fluid

Attention

These samples:

• CSF
• CAPD Fluid
• Joint Fluid
• Eye Plates

Need to be walked into the Microbiology lab and handed to someone directly

Urgent Bloods: Blue box

• Blue tops (PDs)
• Chicken Pox with pregnant patient.
• Bloods that are from “Chemotherapy” or “Haem.Onc Ward”
• Baby Samples (Identified by micro-sized tubes called Microtainers)
Bloods with Urgent test codes:

• ANCA (SST/ Red Top)
• TROP

Watch out!

TROP Samples need to be handed directly to someone working on bloods.

Microbiology Box - MF/MX/MG

• Microbiology Feaces (Culture & C-Diff Stool Samples)
• Endotracheal Aspirate
• Endotracheal Tube Tip
• (ASCF) Ascitic Fluid MC&S
• (AAFB) Ascitic Fluid
• Mycology Samples (Hair, Nails, Skin, Bone)
• Chlamydia Requestes
• Pneumonia Screen (Urine)
• PUS
• (NAAT) CT/GT Urine

Microbiology Urine - MU

• Red top (Boric Acid) Urine
• White Top Urine (As long as sent with a Microbiology form)
• (CPES) Urine

Attention!

This urine is sent up in the dumbwaiter on it’s own along with it’s form with “CPES Urine” written on its lid. It also has it’s own assigned code on Winpath when being typed up.

Serology Box - MS

• (ACP) S.Pneumonia Antigen Urine
• (LEPP) Leptospira Urine
• (HELC) Helicobacter Bio
• (MEAP) Measles Viral
• (HBSAG) Hep B
• (CMVP) CMV/EBV Adenovirus PCR • HIV Viral Load (Pearl Top sample)
• H.Plyori + Norovirus Feaces
• Pregnancy Urines (PREG only)
• HBV
• Syphilis
• Rubella
• Chicken Pox (Unless patient is pregnant. If so, it’s an urgent sample)

Watch out!

T-Spots and HIV Vial Load need to be walked to Serology straight away.

Biochemistry box - BU/BF

• Biochemistry Feaces (FCAL + FELA)
• Immunology Samples
• Toxicology & Biochemistry Urines (UCRE, UUE, UVUL, UUR Urines)
• R20 Special HAEMA
• Broomfield FCALS (Brown Tops) - Place directly on racking just like foam bricks.

Tip

If gold top samples (SST) are on their own or paired with purple tops (EDTA) where the form isn’t visable, always check the form to see if the samples need to be split between Serology and Biochemistry. If there are two forms and the samples can’t be split between them Biochemistry takes priority.

CAT3 - MP/MA

• Sputum
• Bronchial wash
• EBUS
• TB
• AAFB
• (TBC) Ascitic AFB
Every hour the CAT 3 box needs to be and sent up periodically in the dumbwaiter. After placing inside write in the dumbwaiter log.

FLUPS (Small Green Respiratory Samples) need to be put into a cannister and placed inside of the dumbwaiter. Fill in the log book and call the Microbiology on 8285 to inform them that there’s FLUPS in the lift.

Swabs

MRSA - MR/MRSS/PAMS

MRSA Swabs commonly arrive with 2-4 swabs ina bag, howver always check the form. Never just assume.

HVS Swabs - MG

• Vagina Swabs (HVS/LVS)
• Vulva
• Cervix
• Penis/Penile
• Glands
• Bartholins

Attention

Any genital swabs APART from Buttock, Rectal, Groin Swabs belong in the HVS box.

Wound/Misc Swabs - MG/R-CUL

• Eyes, Ears & Nose Swabs
• Neonatal Screen Swabs
• CPES Rectal Swabs
• RCUL Placenta Swab
• Skin Swabs
• Mouth & Tongue Swabs
• (Tips) IV

Referals

• Genetic testing
• Add ons (Office)
• SIHMDS

BGL Bags

When delivered count how many BGL bags have been received, place them inside the dumbwaiter, write how many in the log book and let a supervisor know. Finally call up the BGL room on 8255 and let them know how many bags there are.

ESL Transport bags

Basildon bag is Dark Blue, Southend bag is Light Green.

• Cytology Samples - This sample ALWAYS goes into the Basildon bag.
• Histology/Histopathology Samples - Always check the form for which location the samples goes to. (Yellow/Orange sample container.)
• FIT Feaces sample - This sample goes into the Basildon Bag.
• Celluar Samples - Always goes into the Basildon bag.\

Transfusion Samples - If it’s a pink top sample on it’s own, check the bottom of the form to see which bag is goes into.