Cytopathology Contacts

• Dr B Tanchel (Lead Cytopathologist)   0121 424 1192
• Angela Brown (Advanced Practitioner) 0121 424 1191
• Karen Tomlinson (Hospital based cervical screening co-ordinator/BMS3)  0121 424 1191
• Jackie Parrish (BMS3)  0121 424 1191 

The Cytology Department is located within Cellular Pathology on the first floor of Laboratory Medicine

Consumables

All request forms and consumables for the Cytology service are available from the Cytology Department. In addition, request forms may also be acquired electronically via ICE requesting. All sections of the paper copy request form should be completed  fully and legibly in ball point pen. To order or for any enquiries contact  Cytology Reception on: 0121 424 3192

Specimen Transport

All samples sent to the laboratory should be packed so as to comply with the Carriage Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 1996 General Guidance

• Use containers provided by Laboratory Medicine. These are designed to be robust and not leak in normal use.
• Ensure that the container is appropriate for the purpose, is closed and not contaminated on the outside.
• After labelling, the samples should be placed in individual plastic transport bags and sealed, not secured with clips or staples
• Please do not place the request form with the sample, instead place separately in the side pocket.

Samples may be sent to the Laboratory in the following ways:

On site transport

• Specifically designed for purpose, specimen transport boxes are used to transport samples within the Trust, by an on site portering service to Laboratory Medicine central reception and from there from there delivered to Cytology by Laboratory Medicine porters.
• If a spillage occurs and is not contained within the specimen transport carrier please ring Pathology Reception using the number provided on the side of the box (0121 424 2252) and assistance will be provided. Do not leave a spill unattended

Off site arrangements

• There is a daily courier pick up system, provided by the Trust for General Practitioners (UK Mail couriers Tel: 0121 335 1169)
• Assistance for dealing with spillage can be obtained by phoning the numbers on the transport carriers 0121 424 2252
• There is a Hospital transport system linking the laboratory to other hospitals and clinics Trust wide.
• Samples from GHH wards and departments must be sent to GHH Pathology Reception for transportation to BHH site
• Transport   to and from BHH and GHH  is provided by a regular inter-site shuttle service with the support of a hospital courier van to provide additional backup and increase transport capacity as and when the need arises.  Shuttle Bus timetable is available on the Trust intranet using the alphabetical search facility.
• Specimens are received in Laboratory Medicine Central Reception and from there delivered to Cytology by Laboratory Medicine porters.

Specimens

Labelling

Specimens should be collected in an appropriate transport vessel which is intact undamaged and with the lid firmly fitted to prevent spillage or leakage and must be clearly labelled with:

• Full Name of Patient
• PID, NHS Number or Date of Birth (whichever is given on form)
• Date and time collected which is essential for CSF and BAL specimens as time factors affect the test result.

Any unlabelled samples received, which can easily be repeated, will be rejected. In cases of unlabelled or mislabelled samples from an invasive procedure, the responsible clinician will be requested to identify and label the sample in the laboratory before it can be processed.

Request Forms

Each sample must be accompanied by the appropriate request form fully completed; the following details are essential

• Full Name
• PID or NHS Number or Date of Birth
• Location or destination for report
• Consultant or GP
• Specimen type
• Test required
• Date and time collected which is essential for CSF and BAL specimens as time factors affect the test result.

In the event of multiple specimens from one site, each sample pot must be labelled so they are readily distinguished from one another. In the case of samples from different sites, a separate request form for each specimen site is required.

For urgent specimens, including Cerebrospinal Fluid and Bronchoalveolar Lavage, please notify the laboratory prior to despatch to ensure staff availability for timely preparation and reporting.

• 0121 424 3192
• 0121 424 1191

Laboratory opening times:

• Monday - Friday : 8.30-5.00

Note: An urgent on-call service is available via on-call Pathologist via HOEFT switchboard.

External Quality Assurance

All staff involved in the reporting of cervical cytology hold a Cervical Cytology Certificate of Competence and participate in the Regional Screening EQA scheme.

The department participates in the Regional Technical EQA scheme.

The department seeks second opinions for Gynaecological cytology from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

The referral laboratory must have:

• Current Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) status
• Participate in the Regional Cytology External Quality Assessment Scheme
• Reporting turnaround times within the ranges as set by the NHSCSP