Testing Times! - Central Manchester University Hospitals - NHS ...

If you want blood, you got it!: We take too much blood from patients and
we do it too often!
Whenever we ask patients
about their hospital experience,
they make it clear to us
that laboratory tests are
their least favourite part of
the experience. This is especially
the case in children,
and needle-phobia caused by
repeated drawing of blood for
laboratory tests is a major
cause of anxiety and unhappiness.
on management. If the answer is ‘no’ then don’t do the test!
The right sample from the right patient at the right time.
Lab Service Advice PHLEB02:
When: When is the specific time it’s necessary to draw
blood for this test (e.g. 9am Cortisol)?
Why: Why perform the test? Is it for diagnosis, therapy
monitoring, prognosis or screening?
Every time we decide to do a blood test, we should carefully
consider whether the test is really needed and in
particular whether the result is likely to have an impact
Lab Service Advice PHLEB01:
How: How will a ‘positive’ change my patient’s management?
How will a ‘negative’ result change my patient’s
management? How will I use the result to
change my patient’s management plan?
What: What is the best test or tests? What is the
minimum volume of blood I need? What other tests can
I do on the same blood draw?
http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/
directorates/
deptlabmed/indexaz.asp
Please Sir, I Want Some More!
Below is the current consensus
for Minimum Retest Intervals for
Common Biochemistry Tests:
All tests can be measured at
greater frequency than indicated,
after discussion with one
of the Consultant Biochemists.
Test
Minimum Retest Interval
CRP
24h
eGFR
4 weeks
Iron
4 weeks
Ferritin
4 weeks
HbA1c
2 months
hCG pregnancy 2 days
Liver Function Tests 48 h
Lipids
4 weeks
Thyroid Function
Tests
4 to 10 weeks
Troponin T 4 days
Department of Clinical
Biochemistry
Clinical Sciences Building 3
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9WL
0161 901 5087