NHS GG&C Pathology Department PATH-COM-QU-USER-COMMS-010 NHS GG&C Pathology Department User Manual User Manual https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/about-us/professional-support-sites/ laboratory-medicine/laboratory-disciplines/pathology-andmortuary-services/ THIS IS A CONTROLLED DOCUMENT N.B. Compliance Manager/Quality Manager must be notified of any changes to this document so that the departmental website can be updated. Contents Approved by: Fiona Roberts Author: Gajan Sivarajah Page 1 of 55 Version: 2.1 Review Interval: Annually Version Activation Date: 21st May 2021 THIS IS A CONTROLLED DOCUMENT Any copy appearing in paper form that is not printed on lab specific coloured paper is not controlled and should not be used NHS GG&C Pathology Department PATH-COM-QU-USER-COMMS-010 NHS GG&C Pathology Department User Manual General Information........................................................................................................................3 Laboratory Contacts Summary......................................................................................................5 COVID-19.........................................................................................................................................6 Accreditation & External Quality Assurance................................................................................7 External Quality Assurance:..........................................................................................................8 Specialist Referral Centres............................................................................................................9 Clinical Tests Available..................................................................................................................9 Taking Specimens for Pathology................................................................................................20 Pathology Non-Conformances (Unable to Accept Specimen)................................................21 Urgent Specimens for Pathology................................................................................................22 Fixation (Tissue Preservation).....................................................................................................23 Precautions for “Danger of Infection” (DOI) specimens...........................................................23 Specimen Transport.....................................................................................................................24 Histopathology Reporting.............................................................................................................25 Digital Pathology...........................................................................................................................25 Computer Access to Reports.......................................................................................................25 Telephone Reports.......................................................................................................................25 Specialty Pathologist Teams.......................................................................................................26 Departmental Turnaround Times................................................................................................28 Expected Turn Around Times......................................................................................................28 Mortuary.........................................................................................................................................29 Autopsy/Post-Mortem Service.....................................................................................................30 Arranging For a Hospital Autopsy (Post Mortem Examination)..............................................30 Delivery of Request Authorisation Form to the Pathology Department.................................31 Reporting Autopsy Findings.........................................................................................................31 Fiscal Post Mortems.....................................................................................................................32 Request for Pacemaker/Loop Recorder/Other Cardiac Device Removal.............................33 Examination of the Body by a Clinician......................................................................................33 Feedback............................