BHR HOSPITALS – DEPARTMENT OF HAEMATOLOGY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
PROVIDING BLOOD SAMPLES FOR BHRUT
LABORATORIES
Paper copy number, when printed:
Introduction
Correctly taken blood samples, processed whilst fresh, are essential for the provision of
accurate, reliable test results. Poorly taken samples may be rejected as unsuitable for
testing because they may have been compromised in ways which are not readily
apparent but may cause incorrect results to be produced.
Blood samples should only be taken by staff who have been trained and competency
assessed (refer to note i – NPSA). They should be aware of those factors which may
have an impact of sample quality and hence validity of results, e.g. order of draw,
tourniquet application, sample mixing etc. Samples should whenever possible be taken
by means of an evacuated tube system for optimum sample quality.
BHRUT will not accept liability for incorrect results caused by poor or unsafe
phlebotomy procedure and reserve the right not to issue a result we believe to be
inaccurate.
Labelling and patient identification requirements:
Samples which do not conform to these requirements will not be processed
N.B.


there are special arrangements for the GUM clinic where the sample/form must
maintain patient confidentiality.
there are special additional requirements for blood transfusion - See below for
more information.
The following information must be provided on the blood sample:
Surname
First name
Date of Birth
District hospital number or NHS number
Sample date
Information on samples must be hand written, unless a labelling system is in use (e.g.
ordercomms) according to a protocol which has been approved by the laboratory.
Q Pulse record: Pathology 103
Approved / Authorised by: L. Kemp
Revision: 2
Page 1 of 3
BHR HOSPITALS – DEPARTMENT OF HAEMATOLOGY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
PROVIDING BLOOD SAMPLES FOR BHRUT
LABORATORIES
The following information must be provided on the request form
Surname
First name
Date of Birth
Hospital number or NHS number
Address
Relevant clinical details
Doctor’s name
Location for report
Tests required
Sample date and time
Identity of person taking blood
Location where blood taken
Details on specimen and form must match exactly and must be consistent with the
hospital record, otherwise the sample will not be processed.
Where there are minor discrepancies e.g. spelling incorrect but phonetically the same
(e.g. Chaudhury/Choudhury), the sample may be accepted and the discrepancy noted
on the report.
Special identification requirements for Blood Transfusion samples:
Samples for blood grouping and antibody screening, e.g. ante-natal blood group or pretransfusion testing, have additional identification requirements and must only be taken
by staff who have been trained and assessed as competent to take pre-transfusion
samples, in accordance with the requirements of the National Patient Safety Agencyi.
You may be required to provide documentary evidence of training and competency
assessment before these samples are accepted. These samples must comply with the
requirements of BHRUTs Blood Transfusion Policyii.
Minor discrepancies are not accepted in Blood Transfusion, all details on the form,
specimen and PAS record must match exactly.
Q Pulse record: Pathology 103
Approved / Authorised by: L. Kemp
Revision: 2
Page 2 of 3
BHR HOSPITALS – DEPARTMENT OF HAEMATOLOGY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
PROVIDING BLOOD SAMPLES FOR BHRUT
LABORATORIES
Individual test requirements, sample types and collection guidance:
Details of the sample requirements for individual tests and collection guidance may be
found on the BHRUT website www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk (>For GPs > Pathology User
Information) or by clicking on the links below:
Pathology Specimen Collection Guide – Blood
Greiner Vacuette Selection Chart
Safety aspects of specimen collection
Routine blood collection technique
The collection guide will also identify those tests with special processing requirements
where it is necessary for the sample to be taken at the hospital.
Delivery of samples to the laboratory:
Samples must be packaged and transported in accordance with relevant legislationiiiand
must arrive at the laboratory within three hours of being taken, to ensure sample
viability when tested, unless they are pre-processed at the site of collection following
procedures agreed with the laboratory.
Samples will not be accepted before 9a.m., after 5p.m. or at weekends unless
arrangements have been made with the relevant department. Refer also to the link for
Pathology Transport Procedures
i. NHS National Patient Safety Agency, Safer Practice Notice 14, Right Patient, Right
Blood, 2006
ii. BHRT Blood Transfusion Policy (section 8) version 5.1, January 2011
iii. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Regulations
SI 2007/1573
Q Pulse record: Pathology 103
Approved / Authorised by: L. Kemp
Revision: 2
Page 3 of 3