Microbiology Department, Wythenshawe Hospital

The Microbiology department at Wythenshawe Hospital has transferred to Oxford Road Campus.  All specimens should be transported to the the central specimen reception at Wythenshawe pathology as rapidly as possible after collection to avoid compromising results. Specimens may be transported via normal portering rounds/transport arrangements during the normal working day. When bacteriology and virology tests are to be performed, on the same specimen, a separate specimen for each laboratory is preferred to ensure timely receipt and processing in each laboratory. Specimens are then transported six times (weekday) and three times a day at the weekend to the microbiology and virology laboratories at the Oxford Road Campus.

The laboratory at Oxford Road Campus is open:

Monday to Friday: 8.00am -5.00pm*

Saturday: 8.30am – 12.30noon

Sunday: 8.30am – 12.30noon

*Outside of working hours contact the on call Biomedical Scientist through Switchboard (0161 276 1234) for urgent requests.

All specimens are tracked to the microbiology department at Oxford Road Campus.  Specimens are transported at 08:30, 9:00, 11.00, 13:00, 15:30 and 18:30 Monday – Friday.  At the weekend specimens are tracked and transported to Oxford Road Campus at 9:00, 11:00 and 16:00.

For any urgent requests outside of working hours contact the on call Biomedical Scientist through Oxford Road Campus Switchboard (0161 276 1234). Wythenshawe specimen reception will arrange for the specimens to be transported to the Oxford Road Campus by courier.

A team of Clinical Microbiologists remain onsite at Wythenshawe Hospital to provide microbiological clinical advice to service users.

Use of pneumatic tube

CSF and respiratory samples including sputum, BALs etc MUST NOT be sent via the pneumatic tube.  All other specimens, e.g. swabs, tips, clotted bloods, blood cultures, faeces and urines can be sent via the pneumatic tube. If you have any doubt about the suitability of sending a sample via the pneumatic tube system, contact the pathology specimen reception on ext: 4819

Obtaining results or clinical advice

For Medical Microbiology advice for the more complicated cases, contact the duty microbiologist on 0161 291 2885 or via switchboard.

Providing clinical information and an accurate description of the nature of the specimen are important for correct processing and reporting by the laboratory. Please indicate clearly on the request form if there is a history of foreign travel.

Preliminary culture results are available 24 hours after specimen receipt (at the earliest), and sensitivities usually after a further 24 hours. For ‘special’ samples such as blood cultures and CSF, the microbiologist will inform the clinicians of initial significant results as soon as they are known.

Please refer to the antibiotic guidelines in the first instance for the commoner microbiology enquiries regarding treatment. New or junior doctors should discuss queries with their own clinical team before calling the Medical Microbiologist

For infection control advice alone, the infection control nurses can be contacted on extension 2630 or bleep via switch during routine working hours.

Sensitivity results are reported as follows:

S= Sensitive (fully)
I= Intermediate (reduced sensitivity)
R= Resistant

Results

All urgent results will be telephoned when requested or if there is a clinically significant result a Microbiologist or BMS will contact the requesting ward.

For other results/enquiries during normal working hours: Tel: 0161-276-8788/6333/4306

Contact details

(Last reviewed September 2019)