Request form

• Full name of patient
• Date of Birth
• Registration number
• Doctor’s name and address
• Patient  identification (National ID, passport or Driver’s License)
• Diagnosis 

Specimen Type

• Blood
• Urine
• Faeces (Stool)
• Fluids (Spinal, Peritoneal etc.)
• Tissue
• Bone Marrow
• Swabs

Laboratory Services Offered:

Haematology 

Chemical Technology

Blood Banking

Histopathology

Cytology

Bacteriology

Parasitology/Enteric

Mycology

Immunology

Virology

The Department of Pathology, UWI, a company cultured in fostering continuous improvement, is committed to the continued development of its quality management system (QMS) in accordance to ISO15189 and the relevant legislative regulations. The policy is reviewed periodically to ensure suitability and the achievement of the Department’s goal and objectives meets client’s needs. We accept responsibility for the complete satisfaction of our customers through adequate training of our employees, professional and ethical commitment to patient care through quality examinations, meeting and exceeding customer requirements by providing results in a timely and accurate manner. The Department is devoted to providing a safe environment for its staff and clients alike.

Objectives of the quality management system (QMS)

To ensure the following:

• The department has systems in place to provide good clinical laboratory services which are relevant, affordable and impact patient care.
• Proper recording and archiving of information and samples 
• Effective communication with all stakeholders
• Quality systems are in place, documented, communicated, understood, implemented and adequately reviewed and audited
• Personnel are qualified trained and competent to perform duties.
• Processes are validated subjected to adequate quality control and quality assessment.
• Equipment supplies and services function properly, support clinical needs and expectations and meet required specifications.

Microbiology department is committed to conducting all activities in a highly professional manner to ensure accurate, timely examinations, reporting, advice to clients and continuing improvement in all aspects of the services offered by the laboratory.

Microbiology Department aims to provide a reliable, high standard of diagnostic services, confidential reporting to its client and a safe, motivating work environment for staff. 

Quality Objectives:

• To deliver error free services on time, every time.
• To comply with the Laboratory Quality Management System, ensuring staff are familiar with the quality documentation and implement the policies and procedures at all times.
• To comply with all applicable legislative regulations and ISO 15189 standard
• To improve customer service on a continuous basis through customer survey, evaluation of suggestions for improvement, and implementing solutions.
• To maintain the integrity of our highly professional and competent staff.
• To promote continued development and advancement of laboratory practice through the provision of educational opportunities to laboratory personnel.

Fibrinogen Degradation Product (FDP)

Commercially bought tubes are available in Department of Haematology for the collection of blood for this test.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Specially prepared tubes are available in Department of Chemical Pathology for the collection of blood for this test. The department also makes a beaker with ice cubes available to the phlebotomist for the transportation of such specimen.

Stool for Ova and Parasites (O&P)

Stool sample should be collected in a labeled clean screwed cap container. Place a small amount of faeces (the size of a pea) into the container (ensure no urine is in contact with the stool specimen) and take sample immediately to the laboratory.

Faecal Fat

Stool samples are collected over a three (3) or five (5) days period in a large clean container. It is recommended that the container be kept refrigerated and taken to the laboratory as soon as collection ends.

24 Hour Urine Collection

• The first morning urine voided must not be collected (on the day of collection). PASS THIS URINE IN THE TOILET; DO NOT POUR IN COLLECTION CONTAINER. Write the time of this void on the specimen container.
• Then collect all other urine voided for the 24 hours (including all the urine during the night).
• The final collection should be the first morning void of the following morning.

N.B. Depending on the test, the preservative in the collection container will differ. It is recommended that the container be refrigerated during the collection period.

Urine Culture (mid-stream) – Male

• A wide mouth screw capped sterile container is to be used
• Label the container with full name and the date that you are going to pass the urine
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Completely retract fore-skin, wipe the penis gland
• Start to urinate directly into the toilet, hold urine, then position container and collect urine sample. Do not touch the genital area with the container. Do Not fill specimen cup.
• Securely closed the container and wipe off any traces of urine that may have spilled on the outside
• Return to specimen collection area with requisition form.

Urine Culture (mid-stream) - Female

• A wide mouth screw capped sterile container is to be used
• Label the container with full name and the date that you are going to pass the urine
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Wipe vulva and perineal areas (between the anus and the vulva) well, passing tissue from front to back
• Start to urinate directly into the toilet, hold urine, then position container and collect urine sample. Do Not touch the genital area with the container. Do Not fill specimen cup.
• Securely closed the container and wipe off any traces of urine that may have spilled on the outside 
• Return to specimen collection area with requisition form.

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

Patients performing this examination are to arrive at the laboratory observing the fasting test criteria and taking with them seventy five (75) grams of glucose (This can be purchased at the UHWI Pharmacy). A fasting sample is drawn and the patient is then allowed to drink the glucose mixture. The patient will then be stuck every thirty (30) minutes for the next two (2) hours.

O’Sullivan Test

Patient can have a light breakfast, for example, a cup of tea and a slice of bread. When they report to the laboratory they are to take with them fifty (50) grams of glucose. (This can be purchased at the UHWI Pharmacy). Mix glucose in a glass of water and exactly one (1) hour after consumption, the blood should be drawn.

2 Hour Post Prandial (2HRPP) Test 

A meal must be eaten exactly two (2) hours before this test is performed. If patients are required to do this test only, they are allowed to eat before but are required to be at the laboratory at least thirty (30) minutes before the two hours have elapsed and informed the phlebotomist on arrival. 

Patients who are required to do both fasting and 2HRPP should observe the previous criteria for fasting tests. These patients can travel with their breakfast to eat right after the fasting sample has been drawn in an attempt to minimize the waiting period of two (2) hours for the next sample.

Noteworthy, patients are to be knowledgeable of when they are to administer their medication during this process.

Fasting Tests

You should NOT eat nor drink anything after 10pm on the evening before reporting to the laboratory for testing. 

Examples for some of these examinations include: Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides