Test and service updates including: Gonorrhoea sensitivity testing; Swabs and fluids: types and codes; Discontinued tests; QFIT and Calprotectin.

To date, the Jaffe method has been used for measuring creatinine in all sample types. From 9th May the Jaffe method will be replaced by an alternative enzymatic method. 

Many more doctors and practices are recognising the benefit in being able to offer self-collection kits to their patients. Blood, stool, urine, swabs, in various combinations, enable patients’ samples to be collected safely at home and to be sent to the laboratory for testing.

TDL is now providing its own histopathology services. This important change will allow the service to be brought into TDL’s own laboratory group and will ensure reporting times are managed differently.

All samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) are now referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The Request Form for this service has now been updated.

A definite diagnosis of monkeypox requires specialist testing in the laboratory. This is now being undertaken by TDL.

The laboratory has now received a limited supply of alternative media.

We have been informed by the supplier of our microbiology media of an immediate discontinuation of their product used for antibiotic sensitivity testing on N. Gonorrhoea isolates.

We have started introducing new UKCA test kits with all versions available to practices, or patients, with future kit orders.

As part of the transition to the supply of UKCA pathology self-collection kits, all kits will now be supplied with both an Expiry date and Lot/Batch number.

The COVID laboratory continues to offer testing services for COVID-19 PCR (NCOV) and COVID-19 Antibodies (SCOV) with 24 hour turnaround times from the time of sample receipt.

The manufacture and availability of Hep C Core Antigen reagents has been restored.

The antenatal screening service carried out by the Wolfson Institute is being discontinued in June 2022 and all samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) will be referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital from 23rd May 2022.

TDL test code STDX is now being processed as an in-house assay. There is no change to methodology (NAAT) or sample requirement. TAT remains unchanged.

Following a review of the contracts with referral laboratories, we have identified two laboratories that whilst being ‘GDPR Compliant’, do not follow the typical data model.

The ALEX² test allows for IgE multiplexing of c300 allergens (extracts and molecular allergens) from
a small volume serum sample.

The T-SPOT®.COVID test, for qualitative detection of a cell mediated (T cell) immune response to SARS CoV-2 in whole blood, now includes detection of immune response after vaccine.

Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis has been replaced by more sensitive and specific targeted PCR testing.

TDL has been notified of a change in the reporting process for Down’s Risk Profile (DRP), effective 17th January 2022.

The Regulations for Travel Testing are complex and continue to change. The DHSC updated the private sector provider minimum standards for travel testing on 4 October 2021.

Introducing a new test for the quantitative determination of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S.

Our Genetics teams are using high-throughput sequencing to combine the testing for rare bleeding, platelet and thrombosis disorders into a single workflow.

Our Haem-Oncology team is introducing rapid genetic testing to help with the treatment management of leukaemia patients.

An increased range of tests using remote testing/self-taken small volume blood samples (home collection) and postal pathology has been developed using TDL TINIES. 

TDL Genetics offers a genetic  test to assist in the diagnosis  of primary lactose intolerance  in both children and adults.   

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK but too often colorectal cancer is detected at
a late stage making it the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK