Disruption to blood tube supply

UCLH has been notified of a supply disruption in relation to Becton Dickinson (BD) on their Vacutainer /Blood Specimen Collection Tubes.

The following guidance is given to UCLH researchers:

Where hospital stocks are used for research studies (outside of sponsor provided kits):

• UCLH researchers should follow all UCLH guidance on the use of blood tubes, prioritsation of blood tests and methods for ordering of tests – this includes any recommendations to balance and reduce demand. The full guidance is on the UCLH intranet.

• However, bloods should continue to be taken as required for protocol and/or safety assessments for Covid-19 therapeutic studies, clinical trials and advanced therapies and where a protocol deviation or a safety issue may arise without such. All other researchers should ensure UCLH guidance is considered.

• Researchers should regularly check UCLH communications and the JRO website for updates and make the JRO and the study sponsor aware of any problems which significantly impact upon their study. The JRO can be contacted via uclh.jro-communications.nhs.net (marked for the attention of Sham Islam and Rajinder Sidhu).