Patient Advice and Information
Information About Your Blood Test
Information about different types of blood tests can be found in the Blood Sciences Test Database. You can also look in the Quick Guide to Turnaround Times. If a test is not listed in the test database, it may be performed by an external reference Laboratory. Contact the Laboratory for more information if required.
Patient advice on transporting samples
You may be asked to transport your sample to your local GP practice or directly to the laboratory, either at Telford or Shrewsbury (9am – 5pm, weekdays). We have transport vehicles picking up samples daily from every GP practice, usually during the morning, so samples left at your GP practice first thing in the morning should catch this transport service. It might be worth checking with your GP practice if they haven’t advised you. If you are asked to drop a sample off, please bear in mind that once the sample has been collected it should reach the laboratory as soon as is practicably possible. Most, but not all samples can be refrigerated if there is a delay.
How do I get my results?
We are unable to give out results to patients. In most cases it is appropriate to telephone your GP practice. If you want information about a particular test, try the Lab Tests Online website.
Patient advice on the collection of samples for testing
Please note:
- It is important that all samples submitted for laboratory investigation are clearly and adequately labelled. You should write the following on the specimen label: full name, date of birth and the date the specimen was collected.
- We will only know what tests your doctor has requested if the request form accompanies the specimen, so please keep the sample and the request form together in the sealable plastic bag and accompanying sleeve, which is for the request form.
- In general urine samples should reach the laboratory within 24 hours of collection, but as soon as is practicably possible.
Random Urine Sample
A random urine sample can be collected at any time of the day. Collect a specimen of urine into a clean container e.g. plastic cup. Transfer some into the yellow tube using the plastic pipette provided.Mid-Stream Urine
Collect the mid-stream sample in a thoroughly cleaned and preferably unused container e.g. an unused plastic drinking cup or a clean glass jar rinsed out in previously boiled water. For the sample to be ‘mid-stream’, you should discard the first part of the sample. Collect some of the remaining sample, decanting this from the plastic cup or jar into the sample container. If the urine is to be cultured to see whether you have an infection, the following procedure should be carried out.
Females: Wash the outer genitalia with soap and water and rinse with clean water. Hold the labia apart when urinating.
Males: Retract the foreskin (in uncircumcised patients) before urinating.
If there is likely to be a delay in getting your sample to the laboratory or your local GP practice, then the sample should be stored in the refrigerator.
Samples for the investigation of urine infection are collected in a container with a red lid (see photograph) which contains boric acid crystals. This helps preserve any organisms present in the urine so we can grow them in a culture. Please do not remove the crystals.
24 Hour Urine
Upon waking, empty your bladder, discarding the urine. Note the time. Collect all urine that you pass from this point on. At the same time the following morning, empty your bladder, adding this to the collection. The 24-hour urine collection is now complete. During the collection, aim to keep the sample as cool as possible and protect the sample from light, as this is important for some tests.
Please note: The specimen container for some 24-hour urine tests contains a small quantity of acid preservative and you should avoid any contact with skin. Please do not discard the preservative.
For 24-hour urine samples, in addition to your name, date of birth and date sample was collected, please provide the following information: start date and time and finish date and time.
Microalbumin Urine Test
If you are asked to provide a urine sample for this test you will need to collect a sample of urine in a clean receptacle and then transfer the urine into a narrow necked tube using the plastic pipette supplied. An early morning urine sample is preferred.Faeces
aeces should be collected in a clean, dry container and the sample transferred to the specimen container using the plastic spoon that is attached to the inside of the lid. A generous spoonful is usually sufficient and it is not necessary to fill the specimen container. Samples can be collected in disposable bedpans or into a small bucket lined with polythene or similar. Once you have collected the sample, the remaining faeces can be discarded down the toilet and the contaminated lining wrapped up and discarded as domestic waste.
If there is likely to be a delay in getting your sample to the laboratory or your local GP practice, then the sample should be stored in the refrigerator.
Faeces samples are sent to the laboratory in a blue lidded container which has an integral spoon.
Sputum
A sputum sample is not saliva but the substance coughed up from deeper in the chest (lungs). To collect a sputum sample, it is necessary to bring up the sputum from the chest into the mouth and then to transfer this into the specimen container.
This may mean transferring the sample from something larger like a plastic drinking cup, or glass jar rinsed out with previously boiled water, as collection directly into the small neck of the specimen container may be difficult.
If there is likely to be a delay in getting your sample to the laboratory or your local GP practice, then the sample should be stored in the refrigerator.
Private testing
We are able to perform private tests under some circumstances, for which there is a charge. You can get information on requesting private tests from our administration team who can be contacted on 01743 261000 ext 1161.