Instructions and sampling kits for the investigation of hypoglycaemia in children are available on SCBU, Ward 17 and Child Assessment Unit at York Hospital and SCBU and Rainbow ward at Scarborough Hospital. Please ring Main Laboratory Reception on 6542 at York or Blood Sciences Specimen Reception at Scarborough on 2351 if you require a further kit.   Out of hours please contact the BMS on call via bleep 934 (York) or the hospital switchboard '0' (Scarborough).

Pregnancy Tests (hCG)

Pregnancy test kits are available from the department (available at cost price for GP surgeries) and this point of care test should be used wherever possible. The device has a sensitivity of 20 IU hCG/L and will become positive by the day of the first missed menstrual period in the vast majority of pregnant women. Early morning urine is the preferred sample but random urines can also be used. A protocol for the use of this device is available from the laboratory. 

Where the point of care device is not available the laboratory will perform this test. Please send a random urine sample in a plain container. Alternatively the laboratory can also measure hCG in  serum. Please send a blood sample collected into a brown top tube.

In suspected ectopic pregnancy serum hCG is measured. Please telephone to inform the laboratory if a serum hCG is required urgently.

CSF sampling for suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage

Instructions and sampling kits for the investigation of CSF in suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage are available in York from Main Laboratory Reception (6542) and Biochemistry (6802 or bleep 934 out of hours), and in Scarborough from Biochemistry Reception (ext 2351). Please follow the instructions carefully. Samples for spectrophotometric scanning should NOT be sent in the pneumatic tube.

Web page 18 last updated: 06/11/2023