Virology

Introduction 

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Clinical Virology service is one of the largest in the UK, and is part of NHS Lothian Laboratory Medicine. The laboratory receives up to 400,000 samples per year, performing more than a million tests. The service comprises a multi-disciplinary team of Consultant Medical Virologist, Consultant Clinical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Support Workers and administrative staff. We provide local, regional and national services for a range of Viral and Microbial infections. 

Instructions for collection 

​Clinical samples must be collected into leak-proof containers and placed into a sealed bag with absorbent material. Patient samples must be individually packaged and not mixed with other patient samples. Any appropriate hazard labelling should be clearly visible on the sample bag / sample. The table below shows required sample types. Please see Test directory Virology for further information regarding sample types and sampling requirements.  

Sample storage and transportation 

Samples should be transported to the laboratory without delay. If processing is delayed, refrigeration at 2-8°C is preferable to storage at room temperature for all samples, with the exception of EDTA blood samples. EDTA blood samples must be stored at room temperature (19-2°C ). Patient samples can be transported at ambient temperature. Transport arrangements include ​inter-site van shuttle service, GP van service, external hospital van service, couriers, hospital porter collection (refer to collection times posted in wards/ departments), and the hospital pneumatic tube system (PTS).

Results 

Results will be available as soon as the test requested is authorised. Results will be available via TRAK/Scistore. In certain situations, the Clinical Virologist may phone to discuss a result; however, it is the ultimately the requestor’s responsibility to follow up results. 

UKAS accreditation 

The Virology service maintains UKAS accreditation under ISO15189. Outwith UKAS inspection periods, tests can be introduced. These test results are published with the disclaimer ‘not UKAS accredited’. This does not mean that the results are not of the highest standard; rather, it means that UKAS has not inspected that particular testing process yet. 

Clinical Advice 

An experienced clinical team including Medical and Clinical Scientist Consultants offers support to Clinicians and service users. Urgent advice can be obtained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The clinical team provides information related to using the Virology service, interpretation of test results, and clinical advice. Please note that the clinical team will not advise on Quantiferon testing, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Legionella or Borrelia. For advice regarding these pathogens, please email Microbiology office loth.microbiology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 

Laboratory Opening Hours 

Monday to Friday 08.30 - 17.00    
Saturday and Sunday (Molecular testing) 09:00 - 16.00 

Urgent Testing 

Urgent testing (for a limited number of clinical scenarios) is available outside normal working hours by contacting the on-call Biomedical Scientist via the hospital switchboard on 0131 536 1000.

General Advice 

For general enquiries, including results, please call the Microbiology/ Virology office on 0131 5363373 and select option 1 or send an e-mail to:  loth.microbiology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 

Clinical Advice 

For advice during laboratory opening hours, Monday-Friday , please call 0131 536 3373 (ext 63373; option 2) or send an e-mail to virologyadvice@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 

For clinical advice out of hours, please call 0131 536 1000 and ask for the Consultant Virologist on call. Virology provides a 24/7 service for organ donation for the Scottish NHS Blood and Transplant service