Add-on Tests

Any addtional test requests should be made to the laboratory within the following time scales:-

	Citrate samples within 4 hours of venepuncture
	EDTA samples within 24 hours (requests for Haemoglobinopathy screening can be made upto 72 hours from venepuncture)

Heartlands/Solihull Hospital - Additional tests may also be performed on previously received specimens if sufficient is available in storage and the sample is within the time scale indicated above.. For Hospital users of the service please use the electronic add on system. External users of the service should contact the relevant department to discuss if an add on test is possible.

Good Hope Hospital -  All requests for add on tests on inpatients should be made using a request form. External users of the service should contact the relevant department to discuss if an add on test is possible.

Screening for thalassaemia and variant haemoglobins (such as Sickle haemoglobin) is performed within the Haematology laboratory at Heartlands Hospital for all Trust sites and GP's. Patients may require haemoglobinopathy testing as part of ante-natal screening or pre-operative assessment.

Requests should be made on a Haematology request form and sent with a 4ml EDTA sample for analysis. We are unable to reflex haemoglobinopathy screening on suspected full blood counts results without a request. Ante-natal requests should be accompanied with a Family Origin Questionnaire.

Occasionally samples are referred to Central Middlesex Hospital, London or John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford for confirmation of new or unusual variants or for alpha thalassaemia testing.

For further information or advice please contact the laboratory on extension 40198 or check the Test Database.