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Yellow specimen bags for urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples

September 3, 2021

With immediate effect, all colleagues must use the yellow specimen bags (see photo below) for urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples as you do for urgent blood sciences samples.

The processing of urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples will be processed by the team at the hub microbiology laboratory at New Cross Hospital Monday – Sunday from 5pm – 8am the following day.

The following samples will be processed:

  • CSFs
  • Joint and ascitic fluids up until midnight. After midnight these must be approved by the out of hours duty doctor for microbiology (please contact via SWB switchboard as you do currently)
  • Vitreous/Aqueous taps
  • Any other sample agreed by the out of hours duty doctor for microbiology

Please contact SWB switchboard as you would normally informing them that you have an urgent (non-COVID) microbiology sample for processing and they will action accordingly.

It is imperative that the sample is sent to the appropriate blood sciences department (Sandwell/City as you currently do) as soon as possible so as not to delay the transport to New Cross Hospital and subsequent processing of the sample.

For further details please see the microbiology samples flowchart.

Note: Please ensure that contact details are clearly written on the request so that the result can be phoned through.