Additional examinations can be added to the following specimen types within the following times:-
Specimen type | Time frame for adding extra tests or sensitivities |
Urine | Up to 48 hours after receipt in laboratory. |
Swabs and Pus samples for routine culture and sensitivity. | Up to 48 hours after receipt in laboratory. |
Faeces for routine culture. C Diff toxin, Parasitology and Rotovirus | Up to 1 week after receipt in laboratory |
Sterile fluids including CSF | Up to 1 week after receipt in laboratory |
Serology tests (in house) | Up to 1 year after receipt of sample for booking bloods and in house GU Serology. Must be discussed with duty Microbiologist |
Serology tested by external reference laboratory | Discuss with Duty Microbiologist who will contact the reference laboratory; tests can be added up to 1 year after receipt. |
Chlamydia and N Gonorrhoea by NAATS | Samples kept for 3 weeks, add on tests not required |
Sensitivities on positive blood culture isolates | 3 months |
Mycology samples | Add on tests not possible on these sample types |
Rejected samples | All rejected samples are stored for 1 week |