Ordering tests

Pathology tests should be requested electronically to ensure the correct patient information and requested tests are recorded, and results are returned to the requester accurately and in a timely manner.

  • Haematology, Biochemistry, Transfusion, Immunology, Microbiology and Diagnostic Cytology requests should be made via ICE (for GP and community users) or Sunrise PAS (for hospital users).

For queries regarding sample containers, collection procedures or test availability please refer to our test catalogue.

Please refer to Pathology specimen and request form requirements [pdf] 313KB for acceptance criteria for requests.

Pathology will not process samples where the patient and requestor are the same individual or are suspected of having a close personal relationship (family/friends).

All NHS staff should be registered with a general practitioner outside their own family. Please see Pathology quality for our policy on self requesting and result delivery directly to patients.

If electronic systems are unavailable, please download and complete the appropriate manual request form.

Sunrise

To order tests in Sunrise, you will need a login. You will only be able to log into Sunrise if you have completed appropriate training.

Information on training can be found on the Trust intranet (for hospital staff only)

To order tests, Sunrise OrderComs training is required. Training is available on line and as classroom courses. Book via MTW Learning.

Ordering Pathology tests, order Sets and add ons

Placing orders on Sunrise 

Printing labels (add specimen)

Labels must not be printed until the sample is being collected, or an outpatient required to do a “collect at home” sample is in attendance.

Samples are either collected at the same time as the order is placed, or at a later stage (e.g. Phlebotomy ward round or phlebotomy outpatient clinic).

Using Add Specimen to collect samples

Labelling samples

Labels must be affixed to specimen containers correctly, to avoid rejection.

How to correctly affix labels to blood tubes [pdf] 223KB

Urgent samples

Urgent samples from A&E and Medical Assessment Unit must be sent in red specimen bags. 

Pathology urgent specimen process map [pdf] 200KB

ICE (electronic ordering for GP practice system)

ICE is a secure electronic ordering system allowing orders for tests to be placed directly in the GP practice system and transmitted to the laboratory system electronically.

New surgery or new practice system

If you are a surgery wishing to register for access to ICE, or if you are already registered but your practice system is changing, please complete the appropriate form below and send to pathology IT manager neigbe@nhs.net.

New user for existing system

Email neigbe@nhs.net with name, role, national prescribing number (GMP number) for salaried GPs

User guides

Test not on ICE

If the test you require is not on ICE, please contact the laboratory to discuss requirements and then complete a manual request form (see below).

Manual request forms

Please order tests electronically via ICE (GP and community) or PAS (hospital users).

If these systems are unavailable, please download the request forms and complete manually.

The mandatory fields must be completed in order for us to process the samples.

Please do not use abbreviations for tests not listed. Instead write the test out in full so the correct test can be conducted.

Blood transfusion

Haematology, Biochemistry and Immunology

Microbiology

Point of Care

Cellular Pathology

Verbal requests

Biochemistry and Haematology

If a sample has already been sent to the laboratory, additional tests may be requested verbally. Please call the laboratory to discuss requirements and ensure the sample is still valid for the additional test(s) required.

Microbiology

  • Verbal requests are not accepted.
  • Scanned copies of request forms for additional tests may be emailed to mtw-tr.microbiologyresults@nhs.net with an explanation and date of original request or lab number if result already received
  • Non serology specimens are normally only viable for 48 hours after collection and may not be available for additional testing.

Diagnostic Cytology

No verbal requests for diagnostic specimen preparation are accepted without an appropriate request form.

If a verbal telephone request is received from a clinician to share a specimen which has already been sent to another department within pathology, a request form for diagnostic cytology must be provided before the specimen can be processed. If no form is received within a week, the specimen will be discarded.

Histology

  • Verbal requests are not accepted.
  • Frozen sections should be pre-booked with the department but the sample should be sent with a written request form on the day.
  • Request for additional testing of material already held (e.g. genetics testing) should be made in writing and submitted to the reporting pathologist so suitable arrangements can be made for testing.

Point of Care Testing

All swabs must have a Scan Only label attached or be accompanied by downtime form.