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Date: 22 May 2013
Time: 18:40
Clinical laboratory services: biochemistry and endocrinology
The department provides a comprehensive clinical biochemistry service to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust across its two sites.
In addition, a full service is provided to the South Birmingham Community and Mental Health Trusts, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and 150 GP practices. The department also provides specialist services to other hospitals in the Birmingham, the West Midlands region, and the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The Regional Endocrine Laboratory is incorporated into the department and provides services nationally, with Supra Regional Assay Service designation for specialist assays.
The department has a history of pioneering point of care testing (POCT) and has 14 blood gas analysers across three sites.
The department is also responsible for a quality assurance scheme for 130 blood glucose testing meters and provides an on-site laboratory service in the Diabetes Centre. The laboratory is well equipped, fully computerised and accredited by CPA (UK) Ltd.
Clinical biochemistry is a clinical laboratory service which undertakes biochemical analysis to provide data which is used for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Laboratory analysis of blood, urine, faeces and other body fluids and tissues is performed using a range of techniques from simple manual procedures to those using complex scientific instrumentation, such as high performance liquid chromatography, specialist immunoassay and electrophoresis. Many require a high degree of technical and scientific expertise and others the operation of highly sophisticated, multi-channel analytical systems.
The department also provides a clinical advisory service, which includes the clinical interpretation of laboratory results, advice on the appropriate selection of laboratory tests and investigation and monitoring strategies for individual patients and for specific diseases. There is close liaison with clinicians and other healthcare personnel within the Trust, the community and in other hospitals to ensure best practice in the use of the Clinical Biochemistry Service. This is in compliance with clinical governance and clinical audit purposes and as part of an integrated component of patient care pathways.
