Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 1 of 7
HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE
SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT FOR
THE LABORATORY SERVICE
BETWEEN
THE NATIONAL SALMONELLA, SHIGELLA & LISTERIA
REFERENCE LABORATORY
LABORATORY MEDICINE DIRECTORATE
GALWAY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
AND
SERVICE USER:
st
[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
Page 1
Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 2 of 7
Effective from 1st October 2013 to 30th September 2015
1
Objectives of the Agreement
The objective of this agreement is to formalise the scope and terms of the laboratory service provision. This
agreement also ensures that the volume of work referred is contained within manageable agreed numbers and
that all requests are accompanied with appropriate clinical information and reason for request.
2
The Parties to this Agreement are:
The National Salmonella, Shigella & Listeria Reference Laboratory (NSSLRL), Laboratory Medicine
Directorate (LMD), Galway University Hospital (GUH) as the Service Provider and
……………………………………………………………………………………………... as the Service User.
3
Duration and Service Level Revision of the Agreement:
This agreement will run for two years, effective from the 1st October 2013 and maturing on the 30th
September 2015 or earlier in a situation whereby workload demand exceeds the capacity of the service
provider to manage it effectively or if either party to the agreement are unable to stay within the terms of the
agreement.
4
Specimen Delivery:
a) The NSSLRL only accepts isolate samples for analysis.
b) Sample requirements will be as set out in the NSSLRL User Guide available at
www.nuigalway.ie/salmonella_lab/
c) LMD will with suitable notice notify the Service User of any changes in sample requirements.
d) Normal hours of operation are stated in the NSSLRL User Guide.
e) The Service User is responsible for the delivery of patient specimens to Frontline Specimen Reception,
(FSR) Pathology Building, University Hospital Galway. FSR is open for the delivery of specimens
between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday.
f) The Service User undertakes to deliver patient specimens to NSSLRL LMD GUH in accordance with
ADR Regulations (or any such regulations that may be affected from time to time) for transport of
biological samples by road or rail and in accordance with any special criteria as required.
g) The specimens should be transported in such a way as to avoid deterioration of the specimen, which
may affect the accurate measurement of analytes.
h) On receipt of the patient sample LMD GUH undertakes that all samples have been received and
checked against the details on the requisition form and are adequately and accurately labelled for the
examinations requested.
i) Specimens and request forms should comply with the NSSLRL policy for specimen submission as
outlined in in the NSSLRL User Guide available at www.nuigalway.ie/salmonella_lab/
j) In the event that a sample is rejected for analysis the Service Provider will inform the Service User of
any errors regarding the specimen receipt as soon as practicable.
5
Scope of Work
a) The scope of work is detailed in Appendix 1 and pertains to routine testing between 08:00 and 17:00
Monday to Friday only.
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[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
Page 2
Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 3 of 7
6
Quality of Service
a) LMD GUH will ensure that all examinations requested will be carried out in accordance with best
International Laboratory Practice and in compliance with ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories –
Requirements for Quality and Competence.
b) LMD GUH participates in all relevant EQA schemes and will notify users if the results are
unsatisfactory leading to the withdrawal of a test from the scope of the service provided.
c) Before agreeing to accept a patients sample for analysis, LMD GUH will establish that the laboratory
has the necessary physical, personnel and laboratory information resources and that the laboratory
personnel have the skills and expertise necessary for the performance of the test(s).
d) Both the Service Providers and the Service User assure that there is no conflict of interest in the
provision of this service. Any potential conflict should be stated to the other party before signing this
agreement.
7
Results Reporting
The results of the examinations carried out by LMD GUH will be authorised in accordance with
standard laboratory procedures.
The Service Provider will, with suitable notice, notify the Service User of any changes in reporting
procedure, including but not limited to, changes in reference ranges and interpretative comments.
The results (printed report) will be returned by postal delivery to the Service User who is responsible
for delivery to the requesting Clinician.
Turnaround Times will be as set out in Appendix 1.
The Service User will ensure that all test requests sent to LMD GUH have a report returned and
advise the Service Provider of any outstanding reports.
Results will be kept permanently on file and a duplicate copy of the original report will be available
on request.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
8
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
9
Confidentiality
The parties to this Agreement agree to keep confidential and ensure their staff keep confidential
information covering any and all matters relating to the other party’s respective business, staff or
patients and all information which any of them may acquire relating to or is disclosed during the
course of this Agreement.
Each party agrees to take all necessary steps to maintain the security of the confidential information.
It is agreed that the termination of this agreement does not relieve either party of its obligations with
respect to confidential information.
LMD GUH will ensure that its obligations as a Data Processor under the Data Protection Acts are
fulfilled.
The Service User will ensure that their obligations as Data Controller under the Data Protection Acts
are fulfilled. All parties to this agreement must ensure that they comply with local and European
legislation with respect to data protection.
The purpose of the National Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria Reference Laboratory is to protect
public health. When necessary to protect public health the data of the NSSLRL will be shared with
public health and food safety agencies as required to protect public health within the limits of legal
requirements on personal data protection.
Charges
a) There are currently no charges for services provided by the NSSLRL.
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[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
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Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 4 of 7
10
Agreement Co-ordinators
All correspondence between LMD GUH and the Service User relating to this Agreement must be
routed through the Agreement Co-ordinators, who shall be:
Agreement Co-ordinator for LMD GUH:
Name:
Anne Mannion
Position:
Group Laboratory Manager
Department: Laboratory Medicine Directorate
Address:
University Hospital Galway, Newcastle Road, Galway.
Phone No:
091 542799
Email:
anne.mannion@hse.ie
And
Agreement Co-ordinator for Service User (enter details below):
Name:
Position:
Department:
Address:
Phone No:
Email:
11
Operational Review and Dispute Resolution
a) The parties shall jointly periodically review the operations of the Agreement.
b) The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute or concern arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement. To achieve this;
i. Notification must be submitted to the other party in writing as soon as is practical
after the dispute is identified.
ii. Representatives from both parties shall discuss the matter in order to reach
resolution within seven days of written notification being received.
iii. If the representatives of both parties are unable to achieve resolution within one
calendar month of written notification being received the parties’ respective Chief
Executives shall be notified.
iv. The Chief Executives shall use their reasonable endeavours to resolve the dispute.
If resolution cannot be achieved, termination may be requested by either party as
detailed in ‘Charges’.
12
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements in
connection with the services listed in Appendix A.
13
Reciprocal Indemnity
Each party undertakes to the other to ensure that it has in place suitable liability insurance to cover service
provision.
a) Both parties agree to ensure that personnel performing functions under this agreement will at all times
comply with all statutory and legal requirements in conducting their obligations under this agreement.
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[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
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Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 5 of 7
14
Termination of Agreement
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with notice of at least three months given in writing to the
other party.
15
Signatories
The Service User wishes to procure the supply of services as stated in Appendix A and LMD GUH has
agreed to provide these services under the terms and conditions contained herein:
Signed by the Authorising Officer’s on behalf of:
Laboratory Medicine Directorate
Galway University Hospital
West/North West University Hospital Group
Name:
Anne Mannion
Signature:
Title:
Group Laboratory Manager
Date:
And
Service User
Name:
Signature:
Title:
Date:
16
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Contact Details
Service User:
Contact Personnel:
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[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
Page 5
Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 6 of 7
Service Provider:
The NSSLRL
Medical Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory Medicine Directorate
University Hospital Galway
Newcastle Road
Galway.
Contact Personnel:
Dr. Niall Delappe
NSSLRL
Microbiology Laboratory
Galway University Hospital
Email: niall.delappe@hse.ie
Ph: 091 544628
Prof. Martin Cormican
Consultant Microbiologist
Microbiology Laboratory
Galway University Hospital
Email: martin.cormican@hse.ie
Ph: 091 544146
Tom Whyte
Chief Medical Scientist
Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory Medicine Directorate
University Hospital Galway
Email: tom.whyte@hse.ie
Phone: 091 544429
Anne Mannion
Group Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Medicine Directorate
University Hospital Galway
Email: anne.mannion@hse.ie
Phone: 091 542799
Judith McLucas
Business Manager
Laboratory Medicine Directorate
University Hospital Galway
Newcastle Road
Galway.
Email: judith.mclucas@hse.ie
Phone: 091 542865
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[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
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Dept of Medical Microbiology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals
NSSLRL Service Level Agreement
Version: 2
Ref: NSRLFM037
Issued by: Niall Delappe
Issue Date: 01/10/2013 Page 7 of 7
APPENDIX 1
List of Tests Referred to NSSLRL by MLL
Listeria monocytogenes:
Service Offered:
Turnaround Time:
Specimen Type:
Request Form:
Identification and typing
6 days [The TAT are average for reporting (not including PFGE) and are not
guaranteed for all/any isolates].
Pure culture on nutrient agar slope
NSSLRL request form.
Salmonella sp:
Service Offered:
Turnaround Time:
Specimen Type:
Request Form:
Identification and typing
6 days [The TAT are average for reporting (not including PFGE and MLVA)
and are not guaranteed for all/any isolates].
Pure culture on nutrient agar slope
NSSLRL request form.
Shigella sp:
Service Offered:
Turnaround Time:
Specimen Type:
Request Form:
st
Identification and typing
6 days [The TAT are average for reporting (not including PFGE) and are not
guaranteed for all/any isolates].
Pure culture on nutrient agar slope
NSSLRL request form.
[1 October 2013 to 30th September 2015]
Page 7