The onsite department is made up of three sections:
Within the BSPS network the following is offered:
The Department provides a comprehensive consulting clinical and scientific service. Clinicians are encouraged to contact the Department for advice on appropriate tests, abnormal results or suggestions for further investigations. The Duty Haematologist is available for advice on a 24-hour basis. Out of hours contact should be made via the switchboard.
GPs should contact Wexham Park Hospital laboratory,01753 633415, for advice on appropriate tests, abnormal results or suggestions for further investigations. If clinical advice is required then the Duty Haematologist can be contacted as above.
All results are obtained from blood, plasma or serum samples as appropriate unless otherwise stated.
The following Haematology tests are available as add-ons: Blood Films, D-dimer, ESR, fibrinogen, reticulocytes, malaria parasites and sickle screen.
The specimens for the above tests are viable for 4 – 48 hours depending on the test type and sample volume may be an issue.
For requests made using EPR, add on tests can be ordered on PowerChart on the "Orders +Add" screen by searching for "add on", and selecting "Add on Pathology request".
Make sure that the test(s) you want to add and the reason are typed in the ‘add on tests required and reason' field before the request is signed off. For full instructions please the laminated sheets on the wards.Detailed instructions for Blood Transfusion add-on requesting can be found under ‘Blood Bank’ but can be summarised as follows:
Group & save samples are retained in the laboratory for seven days. Add-on requests will be accepted for Direct Coombs/Antiglobulin Test (DCT/DAT) and for crossmatching.
All requests must be made by telephoning Blood Bank on 7697 (in-hours) or by bleep 298 (out-of-hours). These requests can only be accepted where there is a viable sample that complies with national guidelines.
Pathology request forms or e-mails cannot be accepted for add-on tests for the above reasons.