EXCELLING IN SCIENCE AND SERVICE
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infections FAQs
Pathology Newsletter June 2020
RD&E Covid-19 Testing Service
CELLULAR PATHOLOGY DURING COVID-19
Genomics COVID-19 Update 19/05/2020
Microbiology – Changes to Sample Processing during Covid-19
COVID-19 Update for Genomics Laboratory
CYTOLOGY CELEBRATION AND RAFFLE FOR JO’S CERVICAL CANCER TRUST
COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Update
CHANGES TO THE CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME
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June 19th, 2020
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infections
June 4th, 2020
May 22nd, 2020
Dear colleagues
Did you know that the RD&E is providing a COVID-19 testing service for all symptomatic* health and care staff working or living in North and Eastern Devon?
Health and care staff with a symptomatic household member can also use the testing service.
To book a slot, simply complete this online referral form or call 01626 204950.
If you have any questions, please email d-ccg.devoncovid19testing@nhs.net
Kind regards,
The RD&E Testing Service
May 20th, 2020
Please note that during the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Cellular Pathology department is working as usual, with the following exceptions:
These measures are in place to protect the health and well being of the laboratory staff.
May 19th, 2020
For the latest information regarding genomic laboratory services please read the most recent update is here.
April 7th, 2020
Clear Urine During the COVID pandemic, clear urine samples are not being processed. Infection is unlikely when the urine appears clear. Consider repeat sample or empirical treatment following NICE guidelines.
Sputum samples Non-mucoid samples will not be processed as poor quality samples. Consider repeat sample if clinically indicated.
Superficial wound swabs Specimens will not processed if there is a lack of clinical details. Please consider if this sample is clinically required and would change management. Promote good wound care and only consider antimicrobial therapy for superficial wounds when there is spreading cellulitis.
Mycology testing During the COVID pandemic, mycology samples are not being processed. Repeat samples should not be sent until the laboratory can confirm they will be processed.
Faecal samples During the COVID pandemic, non-bloody faecal samples will not be processed. Most cases of infectious gastroenteritis are self-limiting and do not require treatment. If there are specific concerns in an immunocompromised patient, please discuss case directly with microbiologist via email rde-tr.MicroConsultants@nhs.net
Please note, faecal sample processing is limited to direct culture for Salmonella, enrichment culture will not take place. If high clinical concern of Salmonella, please consider sending a repeat sample if initial sample negative.
MRSA MRSA testing is restricted to admission to high risk in-patient areas – ITU, NNU, vascular surgery, elective orthopaedic surgery, renal and haematology/oncology. Please do not send swabs from patients in other areas unless previously positive.
March 30th, 2020
For information regarding important changes to genomic laboratory services in accordance with national recommendations from NHSE, please read the COVID-19 Update here.
March 24th, 2020
The Cytology department hosted a farewell party on Friday 13th March at Buckerell Lodge, Exeter. We would like to thank everyone who attended, it was a wonderful evening.
We held a raffle with NINE fantastic prizes, all proceeds going towards Jo’s cervical cancer trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity.
We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations and congratulations to those who won prizes… we raised £226 !!!
The Cytology department would like to thank all those involved with cervical screening for their dedication and professionalism over the years. We wish you all the best of luck for the future.
March 13th, 2020
COVID-19 testing is performed using PCR technology (i.e. to detect the viral RNA). Test sensitivity is dictated by the amount of virus on the swab and is therefore influenced by (1) the timing of the test in relation to the symptoms and (ii) the quality of the sample (operator-dependent). A test should be interpreted in light of the pre-test probability (severity of symptoms, their level of exposure, the disease in the contact); no test is 100% sensitive or specific.
Serological testing is NOT available currently (27th March 2020).
• COVID19 RNA is detected on a Nasopharyngeal swab (Red COPAN or Yellow COBAS) by PCR (or BAL if on ITU) • Follow Trust guidelines as on HUB • All samples need to be requested on Medway using the “COVID-19” request • Do not send repeat swabs unless agreed by Micro • If unable to use Medway, use Virology form (we would rather you didn’t) • If Flu testing is also required, please write this in clinical details • Place swab into clear bag and then blue bag (i.e. DOUBLE bagged) • Place sample into rigid red transport boxes (at present on ITU, AMU, MTU, Torridge, Bramble and ED) • Porters will collect swabs from above wards every two hours starting from 6:00am (this is a 24 hour service) and take directly to Old Path Lab • No need to telephone Porters for Virology samples (though urgent blood samples will need portering to Blood Sciences in A template) • All other samples from patients need to have ?COVID in clinical details as they need to be handled separately in the lab • There is no need to telephone the lab in advance if the patient meets the case definition (the case definition may change so check HUB) • Samples are processed daily 7 days a week, so expect a result the same day if the sample arrives before 1800 • Positive results will be telephoned; negative results will NOT be telephoned and you need to check Medway or IPS • Please do not ring for results – we are inundated with telephone calls
February 26th, 2020
FOR PRACTICE MANAGERS AND CERVICAL SCREENING SAMPLE TAKERS: CHANGES TO THE CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME
Devon and Cornwall
Communications were sent out on the 3rd of September 2019 by the Head of Public Health Commissioning, NHS England and NHS Improvement – South West to confirm that the processing and reporting of all cervical screening samples taken in your practice will transfer to Severn Pathology, North Bristol NHS Trust.
This change will be effective for all samples taken on and after the 18th March 2020 onwards for all practices in Devon and Cornwall.
All cervical samples sent to Severn Pathology will undergo testing for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the first instance (HPV primary screening). The result of the HPV test determines whether or not cytology testing is also carried out.
Cervical Screening Requests – Open Exeter
Please be aware of the following changes in the requesting process which may require action for your practice:
Electronic requesting systems (including ICE and other order communications platforms) will no longer be used for cervical screening samples. Any practices currently using electronic requesting for cervical screening requests will have this functionality switched off from the date of service transfer. Any electronic requesting currently used for other pathology requests will remain unchanged.
All sample takers will require access to Open Exeter and should request access from their practice manager if they do not currently have it.
A guide to using Open Exeter for this purpose is attached to this communication.
Electronic Reporting of Cervical Screening Results
Cervical screening results will be sent electronically from Severn Pathology, North Bristol NHS Trust to all GP practice clinical systems.
There may be a period of a few days where you will receive reports from both the new and previous provider on different patients.
Direct Referrals from the Laboratory to Colposcopy
Direct referrals will be made from the laboratory at Severn Pathology, North Bristol NHS Trust following the service transfer but practices will not notice any change in the referral process. Your patients will continue to be referred to the same colposcopy clinic as previously.
Sample Taker Consumables
Severn Pathology will be requesting that all cervical screening samples be transported in new bags which will have orange swirls with a white outline. The bags will be provided with the sample taker consumable kits. Existing kits and bags can be used up before switching over. The current arrangements in place for requesting sample taker kits will remain unchanged until further notice.
Sample Transport
Existing arrangements are expected to remain for the collection of cervical screening samples from practices for onward delivery to Bristol from a network of local hubs which will be a mixture of existing and newly created collection points. You will be notified if this changes.
For more information please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cervical-screening-professional-guidance
Or speak to your cervical screening sample taker training lead.
For ALL laboratory queries please contact the Cytology department at Severn Pathology on 0117 414 9810.
Katherine Hunt, Lead Biomedical Scientist, Cytology
Dr Karin Denton, Lead Cytopathologist
Website: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/severn-pathology/pathology-services/cellular-pathology/cytology
CERVICAL SCREENING REQUESTS – OPEN EXETER GUIDE
All cervical screening sample requests will need to be made via Open Exeter using the pre-populated HMR101 (editable) printed request form.
Sample taker PIN codes and clinical details should be typed into the relevant boxes, which will eliminate issues for the laboratory with hand-written forms.
Once the HMR101 request form is complete, please ensure you print the A4 PDF version directly from Open Exeter.
1.Enter patient’s NHS number:
2. On top left hand corner click on HMR101 editable form:
3. Type sample taker PIN code and enter clinical details:
4. Select A4 PDF:
5. Click Open and a PDF version of the pre-populated request form with typed sample taker PIN code and clinical history will open.
6. Click print from the Open Exeter form menu
There will be no changes to sample taker PIN ID’s – please continue to use existing PINs when requested cervical screening tests.
Please obtain new PIN IDs from your usual source.
