The Microbiology laboratories serve the clinicians and patients from the Basildon and Orsett hospital sites and all of the local community clinics hospitals and GP surgeries. The Department provides a comprehensive bacteriology, mycology and virus serology service including molecular and antigen detection tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of infection.

Infection Prevention and Control Services

Service provided to the acute hospitals ONLY community infection control issues should be addressed to PCT infection control team. The test repertoire offered within microbiology together with sample requirements and turnaround times are listed in the online laboratory handbook (www.baspath.co.uk)

Other services

Out of Hours Laboratory Repertoire: During the out of hours period, the Laboratory will undertake examination of normally sterile body fluids and other specimens where the results of the microscopy, culture, antibody or antigen detection are needed for the immediate management and treatment of the patient. Urine microscopy is not performed at night. Dipstrips are available which detect blood, protein, nitrites and leucocytes. A negative nitrite and leucocyte esterase effectively excludes urinary tract infection. Specimens with abnormalities that suggest UTI can be stored in boric acid bottles (red capped) overnight and delivered to the Microbiology Department for culture the following morning. Gentamicin and Vancomycin assays may be performed in the evening and at week-ends, but every effort should be made to arrange these assays during normal working hours.

Contacts

Bacteriology results: 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3557

Lab manager: 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3555

Infection Control Team: 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3444