Pathology

Our Portsmouth Pathology service is one of the largest services in the country and based in a purpose-built pathology service at the QA Hospital.

We provide a range of diagnostic services, specialist regional screening and general practitioner services. These include: andrology, antenatal screening, anticoagulation testing, blood transfusion, haematology, histology and virology.

Details of laboratories accredited to ISO 15189:2012 and their schedules of accreditation can be found on the UKAS website.

We are also licensed by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and our Hospital Blood Bank is subject to the Blood Safety Quality Regulations (2005) as enforced by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The service is in the purpose-built Pathology Centre which is accessible via the link bridge on E Level.

Please use lift area 7 to reach Level E. Turn right out of the lift lobby onto the main hospital corridor. The link bridge is on the left approximately three-quarters of the way along the corridor just before lift area 8.

Pathology reception is located at the end of the link bridge. Continue through the double doors and turn right at the end of the corridor.

Next of kin who have an appointment to see their recently deceased relative should make their way to the Accompanied Relative Entrance which is located outside of the Pathology Centre on Nightingale Road, close to the Southwick Gate entrance to the Queen Alexandra Hospital site.

Your doctor has asked that you collect a 24 hour urine specimen for testing in the laboratory.

This information is designed to help you with the collection process and ensure that the specimen you supply to the laboratory is suitable for testing.

A 24 hour urine sample consists of all the urine you pass during one day and the following night.

If there is already any liquid or solid in the bottle, do not throw this away. It is there to act as a preservative.
The best way to collect urine is to pass it into a clean container before pouring it into the collection bottle. It is important to avoid skin contact with any preservative liquid which may already be in the bottle.
When you get up in the morning (for example, at 8am), pass the first specimen into the toilet; it is not required. Every specimen passed thereafter during the day and during the following night must be placed in the bottle.
When you get up the next morning, empty your bladder at the same time as you started the collection the previous morning (e.g. 8 am) – this urine should be added to the bottle and completes the collection. Store the bottle in a cool place and away from children.
Please ensure that your full name (surname and first name) and date of birth are clearly written on the label stuck to the bottle. Urine samples received in the laboratory without three points of patient identification will be rejected. Write the date and time when you started and finished the collection on the label.
You can return the 24 hour urine bottle with the request form to your GP surgery or directly to the Pathology Laboratory.

Your doctor has asked that you collect a urine specimen for testing in the laboratory. This information is designed to help you with the collection and ensure the samples you supply to the laboratory are suitable for testing.

Preparation
There are no special requirements for this urine specimen. It can be collected at any time although it is often best to collect the first urine passed of the day as this tends to be most concentrated. Dilute specimens can produce poor results.

Collection
You should have been given a request form and a white topped bottle. The white topped bottle is plain with no preservative and is the only bottle type used by the Biochemistry department. Red topped bottles are unsuitable for a random urine specimen.

You will need to produce a mid-stream sample. When you need to empty your bladder, pass the first part of the stream (1-2 seconds) into the toilet.
Stop the flow momentarily, then collect your urine in the sample container and fill to approximately three quarters full. Secure the lid onto the bottle and ensure the following information is written clearly: your FIRST NAME, SURNAME, DATE OF BIRTH, DATE and TIME OF SPECIMEN.
Place the sample into the bag provided and seal. It should be kept cool and out of direct sunlight.
You can return the sample(s) with the request form(s) to your GP surgery or directly to the Pathology Laboratory.

Labelling
A minimum of three points of identification are required on the labels of each of the specimens (surname, forename and date of birth is essential), do not use initials. If your hospital number/ NHS number is known, please add to specimen label. Inadequately labelled specimens will be rejected by the laboratory and you will be asked to produce another sample.

Please read the following instructions carefully:

Please arrive promptly for your appointment, but if you are running late for whatever reason, please telephone the Andrology Department (023 9228 6799), as late arrivals may have to be rejected and re-appointed.
You must use the private room in Pathology Reception (see below) to produce your sample. Upon arrival, a member of the Andrology team will meet you, show you into the private room and will give you some further instructions pertinent to your test.
Vasectomy only: Your first sample must be produced after no less than 12 weeks following the date of your vasectomy and only after you have had at least 20 ejaculations.
You must refrain from intercourse or masturbation for at least 2 days (48 hours), but no longer than 7 days prior to the test. Failure to observe this abstention period will mean the test cannot be performed and a new appointment will need to be arranged.
Please wash your hands and penis, rinse well with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Please collect the sample by masturbating directly into the container. The whole of the ejaculate is required. Please do not use a lubricant or condom, as these contain chemicals that can kill sperm
After you have produced your sample, please wash your hands again.
Please then telephone the Andrology team (023 9228 6799/6737), one of whom will return to the private room to check everything on the request form is correct, witness your signature and collect the sample prior to you leaving the department.
The results of your test will be sent to your GP or referring doctor. Please do not contact the department for your results For further information or advice, or to cancel your appointment, please telephone the Andrology Department (023 9228 6799) as soon as possible.
Please note a fee is payable for a vasectomy reversal test.

Your GP has asked you to do a FIT test to help determine if you need further investigations. FIT stands for Faecal Immunochemical Test. It is a test for hidden blood in faeces and can detect very small amounts.

How to do a FIT test
Do not use the test if you are menstruating or have had some obvious fresh bleeding e.g. from piles.

The FIT tube has a green lid and stick that needs to be scraped over a poo sample then replaced in the tube. There is a white lid on the other end, it is very important that you do not open this end as the chemicals that stabilise your sample will leak out and the laboratory will not be able to process your sample.

Here is how to do it:

The tube should already be labelled with a sticker from the surgery that includes your name and date of birth plus a hospital number/NHS number. You need to fill in today’s date (if your name and date of birth are not on the tube already then please fill this in along with the hospital/NHS number if you happen to know it). If the sample does not include at least your surname, forename, date of birth and date of taking the sample then the lab will not be able to process it.
Pass your motion (poo) into a clean container or into your hand covered by a small clean plastic bag. Alternatively attach some cling film across the bowl so it hangs just above the water to catch your stool, or place multiple layers of toilet paper in the toilet bowl. Note: It is important that the sample has not been contact with urine or toilet water.
Pick up the sampling tube and unscrew the green end only in an anti-clockwise direction. This will allow you to lift the green sampling device out of the tube.
Insert the stick into the faeces, not too deep as you want to aim to just cover the grooves at the end of the stick. Scrape the stick diagonally across the stool just once.
Make sure the notches at the end of the stick are covered then screw it firmly back into the tube.
Mix the tube by turning it upside down several times then put the tube inside the return bag.
Wash your hands.
Take the bag containing the tube to your GP surgery on the day of sampling. Your GP should also have included a request form in the bag - make sure you return this with the tube as well.

A new LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) will be introduced at Portsmouth Hospitals in partnership with several other local NHS trusts. The new system, known as WinPath Enterprise (WPE), will replace the current aging solutions with an enterprise-wide LIMS that will enhance patient experience and improve the way we work. This will be achieved through better lab integration, reporting, tracking, information security and more.

If you would like to speak to a member of the team, please contact LIMS@porthosp.nhs.uk.

Or you may use this anonymous form to provide feedback to the project team.

Regular newsletters for the project are available on the PHU network here.