BCPS Microbiology Processing Issues

January 17, 2025

Update

We are pleased to inform you all that the IT issues in the BCPS Microbiology department have now been resolved. Work will now progress to addressing any backlog and we hope turnaround times to return to normal by next week.

A problem has arisen in the computer interfacing software that provides links between our laboratory computer system and our automated analysers. This affects most of our non-blood processes in microbiology for the Black Country. We are working with our supplier and IT departments to fix the interface as soon as possible but it is estimated that it may take 48 to 72 hours to remedy.

As a result, our usual process of alerting the electronic records in real time of positive blood cultures will no longer be possible, paediatric blood cultures will not be reported at 36 hours and all results for culture and sensitivity of all specimens will need to be reported manually. This increase in manual reporting necessitates re-allocation of staff from other less urgent samples to prioritise the most clinically urgent reports.

Please be aware that this means there will be longer turnaround times for all microbiology tests. We are aware that this will add additional pressure to clinical teams at this time of increased activity. Our interface provider partner is aware of the serious nature of the issue and is working closely with us to fix the problem. We will work to reduce any backlog over the coming week.

For urgent clinical enquiries please continue to contact your duty microbiology doctors as usual and avoid ringing the microbiology laboratory. Results cannot be released by the laboratory over the telephone.