Clinical Microbiology Department – NHS Lothian
Using the NHS Lothian Clinical Microbiology Service
Microbiology and virology provide an advice service during routine hours M-F 09:00-17:00
followed by emergency out of hours advice via an on-call service. Details for contacting the team
are outlined below.
Laboratory
The Microbiology and Virology Handbook for RIE/WGH and St John’s hospital are on the intranet.
The processing of URGENT tests can be arranged from 0730h to 1800h by phoning Microbiology - 26021 (RIE/WGH) or 53075/81 (St John’s), Virology – 26019.
Requests to process EMERGENCY samples outwith 0730-1800h should be addressed to the
Microbiology Biomedical Scientist (bleep 2900) or via switchboard.
Results of specimens in progress are not available out of hours and cannot be obtained by
calling the on call consultant.
Advice on antibiotic dosing levels should be sought from the on call pharmacist if not
answered in the online guidance.
Please check TRAK/SCI Store for finalised test results before phoning the Microbiology
Laboratory for results. If tests are in progress or antibiotic sensitivities are required other than
those which have been reported, then these can be discussed with the Biomedical Scientists on
the extensions above. Be aware that, for culture and sensitivity, results of recent/current
specimens may not be available until after 10:30h.
Advice
The Clinical Microbiology Consultants and Trainees in Lothian offer a 24 hour Liaison Service to
advise on the appropriate choice of antibiotics for particular patients, ratify the use of ALERT
antibiotics (when appropriate) and advise on the laboratory diagnosis of infection. They also
provide urgent Infection Control Advice out of hours and outwith 0830- 1600h.
During the hours from 0900-1700h M-F, microbiology clinical liaison can be contacted by
your usual on site microbiology team or via 26048 for the microbiology duty room. Outwith
these times, cover is provided by the on call registrar or consultant via switchboard. Note the
registrars and consultant microbiologists do not work a shift or partial shift system but will be on
call on consecutive days and nights and non-essential calls are not appropriate. It is preferred
that you contact a senior member of your team in the first instance before that person rings to
discuss with the on call microbiologist.
Virological matters are dealt with by the Consultant Virologists and their teams separately.
During the hours from 0900-1700h M-F, extension 26086 or bleep 5981. Outwith these
hours via the switchboard.
Infection Control matters are dealt with 7 days a week via extension 63373. Outwith the hours
0830h-1630h queries should be directed as relevant through the local senior nurse on call
(nursing queries should first be directed to this person) then if need be to the on call Microbiologist
(unless Virological query in which case contact Virologist).
Advice for Using NHS Lothian Clinical Microbiology Services Version 1.0
Page 1 of 2
Author Dr Ian Laurenson
Issue Date August 2015
Review Date August 2017
Clinical Microbiology Department – NHS Lothian
Using the Out of Hours Microbiology Clinical Liaison Service
(see also induction pack video-link)
When calling to discuss antibiotic management, please first consider the following:
Specimen results or virological advice are not available via the Microbiologist on call.

Have you discussed the patient with a senior member of your own speciality or your own
on call consultant before calling the consultant microbiologist? If not, seek their opinion
first.

NOTE: Out of hours enquiries regarding antibiotic management of patients or other
questions regarding clinical management of infection should normally be directed to the
senior doctor with clinical responsibility for the patient before phoning the
Microbiologist.

Begin by informing the consultant microbiologist which hospital and ward you are calling
from and your name.

Give the name, date of birth and/or hospital number of the patient you are phoning about.

Be prepared to provide information regarding the presentation, clinical examination
findings and current clinical condition of the patient - have charts to hand.

Be prepared to provide information regarding which antibiotics have been administered, by
which route and which dose.

Be prepared to provide information regarding drug allergies and potential drug interactions
with other medicines.

Have you checked the empirical antibiotic policy guidelines? Have you checked your
patient’s microbiology results on TRAK?

Be aware of NHS Lothian antibiotic policies accessible via the Intranet:
o Empirical First Line Antibiotic Policy for Adults (A4 summary and long versions)
o App at: http://cms.horizonsp.co.uk/viewer/lothian/adult
o IV/Oral switch policy
o Alert antibiotic policy
o Gentamicin/Vancomycin guidelines

The initial prescribing options and alternatives for penicillin allergy for most clinical
situations are covered in the empirical first line antibiotic prescribing policy.

Document clearly the conversation in the patient’s case notes and communicate relevant
information to the next shift of doctors if the patient is unwell.

Address routine enquiries for microbiology clinical advice, as far as possible,
between 9am and 5pm weekdays. Advice required outwith that time should only
relate to acute or emergency situations.

Only contact the on-call consultant microbiologist overnight if there is an EMERGENCY
requiring antibiotic management advice or infection control advice.
Advice for Using NHS Lothian Clinical Microbiology Services Version 1.0
Page 2 of 2
Author Dr Ian Laurenson
Issue Date August 2015
Review Date August 2017