Support Services
The Laboratory Medicine services at Rotunda Hospital are committed to providing the highest quality diagnostic and consultative services for all its users and stakeholders.
Department of Laboratory Medicine
The Rotunda Department of Laboratory Medicine complies with the International Standard ISO 15189 (Registration Number 208MT), and the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of both the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Details of the Laboratory’s scope of accreditation is available on www.INAB.ie Rotunda Hospital Registration Number 208MT. The Laboratory has been approved to operate under Flexible Scope of accreditation. The master list of Flexible Scope is available on request from the Laboratory Quality Manager.
This section contains information relevant to both patients and healthcare professionals. For patient information please navigate to bottom of this page; for all other information please read on and navigate to individual department sections.
Key Contacts
Please note for result enquiry please contact laboratory administration at 8171739 or email lab team leader at [email protected]
| Title | Name | Phone contact | |
| Lab director | Prof Richard Drew | 8171700 (switch) | [email protected] |
| Lab manager | John O’Loughlin | 8171762 | [email protected] |
| Andrology | Dave le Blanc | 8730700 ext 1466 | [email protected] |
| Biochemistry | Gráinne Kelleher | 8730700 ext 1345 | [email protected] |
| Blood Transfusion | Deirdre Murphy | 8730700 ext 1464 | [email protected] |
| Haematology | Deirdre Murphy | 8730700 ext 1464 | [email protected] |
| Histology | Kieran Healy | 8730700 ext 1467 | [email protected] |
| Microbiology and Serology | Dave le Blanc | 8730700 1464 | [email protected] |
| Quality Manager | Emily Forde | 8176872 | [email protected] |
| HVO | Rose-Maire O’Donovan | 8176803 | [email protected] |
| T&D | Vacant- Contact John O’Loughlin | 8171762 | [email protected] |
| POCT | Lorna Pentony | 8172569 | [email protected] |
| IT Coordinator | Mike Maher | 8172569 | [email protected] |
| H&S | Vacant – Contact John O’Loughlin | 8730700 ext 1345 | [email protected] |
| Surveillance Scientist | Dave Le Blanc | 8730700 ext 1464 | [email protected] |
CONSULTANTS: Contact the hospital switch board 8730700
| Medical | Departmental Consultant | Nominated Deputy/Consultant Providing Cover |
| Biochemistry | Dr Mohommed Elsmmak | Dr Pat Twomey |
| Histopathology | Dr Emma Doyle | Dr Eibhlis O`Donovan
Dr Noel McEntaggart |
| Haemotology/Blood transfusion | Dr Fionnuala Ni Ainle
Dr Barry MacDonagh |
Dr Michael Fay Mater Hospital
Dr Mark Coyne Crumlin Paediatric Haematology Group (Benign) |
| Microbiology/Serology
Andrology |
Dr Richard Drew
Dr Edgar Mocanu |
Dr Meaghan Cotter/Dr Deirdre Broderick
Contact Dr. Rishi if urgent |
User Manual
The Laboratory User Manual – is available here for download.
Latest blood collection tube guides are available at the following links – Adult & Paediatric.
The user manual contains useful information such as:
- Reference ranges for all tests
- Sample types required
- Turn around times
- Specimen draw orders
- All quality aspects
- Details of referral centres.
Places navigate to the relevant discipline where contact details, reference ranges, request form downloads, active test downloads, and information about each individual department is available.
Patient Information
Opening Hours
Routine laboratory hours are 8.00 am – 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
An on-call service is provided between 6.00 pm and 8.00 am Monday to Friday and from Saturday 12.30 pm – Monday 8.00 am.
A limited service is available on Saturday morning from 9.00 am – 12.30 pm.
Office opening hours are 8.30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday only.
Tel: 01 817 1739.
All requests for any laboratory tests must be requested by your GP or referring doctor.
Enquiries regarding patient results must be directed to your GP/referring doctor.
The Rotunda laboratory is committed to providing an extensive range of tests to ensure your treating physicians caring for you can request all tests required for your care pathway.
A list of these tests are available on the active test repertoire found on the Laboratory Medicine webpage under each department. Tests may only be requested by your GP or referring doctor. Your samples are always handled with due care and respect.
FAQ
Requesting laboratory results
If you require recently requested test results, please contact Laboratory Administration at (01) 8171739.
If you require historic laboratory results please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Rotunda Hospital
1-2 Cavendish Row
Dublin 1, D01 K883
Email
[email protected]
Telephone: (01) 817 6811
Further information may be found through the Freedom of Information site found on the Rotunda Hospital website.
Information on Red Blood Cell Antibodies for Patients
Please find more information on Red Blood Cell Antibodies here – Information on Red Blood Cell Antibodies for Patients
Consent
You may be asked to consent to some blood tests by your doctor. You may also be asked to consent if receiving blood or blood products.
Open disclosure
It is Rotunda hospital policy that where appropriate, disclosure to patients, users or any relevant persons, of any incidents that resulted or could have resulted in patient harm and all relevant records of actions taken to mitigate those harms are made available and the patient or user will be informed.
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint about any aspect of the laboratory service you may contact the Laboratory Manager or the Laboratory Quality Manager. Contact details are available in the Key Contacts section on the Laboratory Medicine main page or you may contact the hospital directly at [email protected]
For further information please refer to the Laboratory User Manual available on the Laboratory Medicine page on the Rotunda Hospital website.
Semen Analysis:
- A referral by your GP/medical centre or hospital consultant is required.
- Please contact the office on 01 817 1739 in advance to book an appointment.
- Please e-mail all request forms to [email protected] before an appointment can be scheduled.
- A charge payable on the day of appointment. Post vasectomy samples are €30. Fertility samples are €40.
- Results will be returned to your referring doctor and not directly to you.
Haematology
The haematology laboratory is part of the Clinical Directorate of Laboratory Medicine. The laboratory provides a range of diagnostic and clinical services to Rotunda Hospital. The Department includes:
General coagulation
Specialist coagulation – acquired and congenital thrombophilia screening
Malaria screening
Adult haemoglobinopathy screening
Newborn haemoglobinopathy screening
Point of care
These sub disciplines allow for diagnosis of haematological abnormalities in pregnancy and the newborn. Antenatal and newborn haemoglobinopathy screening, and thrombophilia screening including required molecular diagnosis aids the diagnosis and management of patients. The department complies with the International Standard ISO15189 and POC ISO 22870 standard, and the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of the Irish National Accreditation Board. Contact: 01 817 6863
Clinical Team
Consultant Haematologists:
Dr Fionnuala Ní Ainle
Dr Barry Mac Donagh
Medical Scientific Team
Chief Medical Scientist: Deirdre Murphy
Senior Medical Scientist: Natasha Drury
Senior Medical Scientist: Ellen O’Connor
Clinical Microbiology/Andrology
The microbiology laboratory provides a range of testing in the areas of bacteriology, serology, virology and andrology. The laboratory makes use of traditional culture techniques, as well as more advanced molecular methods and most recently the use of a mass spectrometer for identification of bacterial isolates. There is a 24/7 clinical consult service provided by the Clinical Microbiologist which supports the management of sepsis in neonates, women and also in issues relating to infection control.
The department complies with the International Standard ISO15189 and the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of the Irish National Accreditation Board.
Clinical Medical Team
Consultant Microbiologist:
Dr Richard Drew
Dr Meaghan Cotter
Dr Deirdre Broderick
Medical Scientific Team
Chief Scientist: David Le Blanc
Senior Scientist and Surveillance: Ailbhe Comyn
Senior Scientist: Sean Goodwin
Senior Scientist: Knowledge Denhere
Andrology Clinical Advice: Dr Edgar Mocanu
The laboratory provides an extensive array of microbiological and serological services.
GP Information for Andrology
All requests for any laboratory tests must be requested by your GP or referring doctor.
Please e-mail all request forms to [email protected] before an appointment can be scheduled.
Enquiries regarding patient results must be directed to your GP/referring doctor.
The request form is available here and please also download the instructions here.
Note semen analysis for infertility / special clearance is by appointment only contact 01 8171739 to make an appointment.
A room, at the hospital, is available for sample collection and can be booked when making the appointment.
Biochemistry
The clinical biochemistry department provides a comprehensive repertoire of tests including:
Biochemistry : renal, liver, bone, cardiac function and glucose homeostasis
Endocrinology : reproductive function, thyroid function and tumour marker analysis
Point of Care Testing : blood gas and hemocue
The biochemistry department complies with the International Standard ISO 15189 (Registration Number 208 MT), POC accreditation ISO 22870, and the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of both the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Clinical Medical Team
Consultant Chemical Pathologist:
Dr Mohamed Elsammak
Medical Scientific Team
Chief: Gráinne Kelleher
Senior Medical Scientist: Sharon Campbell
Point of Care Testing
Point of Care (POCT) services lie under laboratory governance and is dependent on suitability and available resources.
POCT are a range of tests and procedures that are performed outside the laboratory in clinical areas. Essentially near patient testing. The POCT equipment for which the laboratory is responsible and their locations are managed and maintained by the POCT co coordinator. The point of care service is accredited to the International Standard ISO 15189, complying with the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).
The following are available in various locations throughout the hospital as point of care testing:
- Glucose
- Haemoglobin
- Blood Gas Analysis
- Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM)*
- Pregnancy Testing*
**not under the accreditation scope when performed at point of care.
Clinical staff take responsibility for the pre analytical phase in point of care testing, ensuring that there is correct patient sampling and correct identification of the patient entered into the point of care device
A permanent record of all POCT testing is maintained within the appropriate clinical record of the patient. The Rotunda Hospital defines the patients chart as the primary clinical record.
POC Co-ordinator and Senior Scientist: Lorna Pentony
Transfusion
The blood transfusion department provides the following services to patients and clinicians of the Rotunda Hospital:
- Antenatal group and screen on booking samples for the presence of irregular agglutinins and identification of RhD negative patients
- Provision of an RAADP scheme to RhD negative antenatal patients
- Aid in the prenatal diagnosis and monitoring of Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus /Newborn.
- An intrauterine blood transfusion programme
- Issue of blood and blood products to neonatal and adult patients
- Estimation of fetal maternal haemorrhage using flow cytometery
Consultant advisory services.
The department is accredited to the International Standard ISO 15189 and complies with the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of both the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and with the Minimum Requirements for Blood Bank Compliance with Article 14 (Traceability) and Article 15 (Notification of Serious Adverse Reactions and Events) of EU Directive 2002/98/EC. The laboratory also submits an annual report to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) under the EU Blood Directive 2002/98/EC.
Clinical Medical Team
Consultant : Dr Fionnuala Ni Ainle
Consultant: Barry MacDonagh
Medical Scientific Team
Chief: Deirdre Murphy
Senior Medical Scientists: Deirdre O’Neill, Natasha Drury
Senior Medical Scientist / Deputy Haemovigilance: Emily Forde
Haemovigilance
Haemovigilance is an essential component of a clinical transfusion service, primarily focused on ensuring the safety of blood transfusions within the hospital setting.
It encompasses the training and education of clinical staff, traceability of blood products, the setting and maintenance of standards, and the reporting of errors and adverse events. All Haemovigilance services are established and mandated by legislation under EU Directive 2002/98/EC (Articles 14 and 15) and are accredited to the International Standard ISO 15189, complying with the regulations, policies and terms and conditions of the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).
In practice, Haemovigilance involves collaboration between clinicians, laboratory staff, quality management personnel, and the National Haemovigilance Office. Together, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transfusion safety for our patients.
Haemovigilance Officer: Rose Marie O’Donovan
Histology
The histopathology department at Rotunda Hospital is comprised of the following subsections:
Surgical specimens
Non gynaecological cytology
Perinatal autopsy service
Placental pathology
The histopathology department complies with the International Standard ISO 15189 (Registration Number 208MT), and the regulations, policies, and terms and conditions of both the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). A comprehensive perinatal autopsy service is provided which is not subject to INAB accreditation.
The laboratory provides diagnostic support for a range of gynaecological, maternity, and newborn patient groups.
Contact : 01 817 1739 ext. 1467
Clinical Medical Team
Consultant Histopathologists
Head of Department: Dr Emma Doyle
Dr Eibhlis O’Donovan
Dr Noel Mc Entagart
Dr Keith Pilson
Dr. Danielle Costigan
Medical Scientific Team
Chief Medical Scientist: Kieran Healy
Senior Medical Scientists: Lorna Thomas, Michael Smith