The following specimens are appropriate for examination as emergencies:
 
 

• Cerebrospinal fluids;
• Tissue, fluid or  pus collected in theatre;
• Joint fluids aspirated;
• Vitreous aspirates and corneal scrapings.
• Urgent MRSA PCR requests, with prior arrangement (i.e. telephoned) in instances of bed capacity issues/surgical admissions etc.
• Urgent FLU PCR requests
• Urgent Norovirus PCR requests at the discretion of the Microbiology Consultant

 
Other specimens may be appropriate for an individual patient. These requests will be treated on their merits and, whenever possible, the Consultant Microbiologist should be contacted.
 
When sending an urgent sample please contact the department to inform them once it has left the ward/clinic/theatre/surgery. If the sample is being taken outside of core hours please contact the late shift Biomedical Scientist (if before 20:00) or the night shift Biomedical Scientist (after 20:00) so that they are aware and to expect the sample.