East Genomics

Mobile menu open

Semi-rapid testing for specific clinical indications

In certain cases, specific clinical indications where whole genome sequencing (WGS) is available but results are needed urgently to inform care can be processed as non-WGS rapid whole exome sequencing tests. This must be approved in advance and uses a different process to WGS.

Semi-rapid testing is available in specific circumstances for four clinical indications:

  • R15 Primary immunodeficiency or monogenic inflammatory bowel disease
  • R98 Likely inborn error of metabolism
  • R135 Paediatric or syndromic cardiomyopathy
  • R257 Unexplained young onset end-stage renal disease

In place of whole genome sequencing using a trio of samples (proband and parents), semi-rapid testing requires only the proband sample and uses whole exome sequencing (WES).

Semi-rapid testing has an expected turn around time of six weeks and is available in cases where rapid diagnosis will guide immediate treatment or medical care.

Consult the national genomic test directory before ordering to ensure your patient is eligible for semi-rapid testing.

Process for ordering

  1. Semi-rapid tests are only provided by certain GMSs, use the information in the table below to contact the appropriate provider before ordering. Include cuh.geneticslaboratories@nhs.net to ensure we are aware of the approval.
  2. If approved, you can collect the sample and send to your local East Genomics laboratory (Cambridge, Nottingham or Leicester) using our non-WGS ordering process. We will then ensure the sample is passed on accordingly.
    1. Include “Semi Rapid Singleton WES” on the order form, as well as the clinical indication and all relevant clinical information.
    2. Include a copy of the approval email from the provider.
  3. A record of the consent discussion with the patient and /or family should be retained within the medical record.
Ordering via EPIC at CUH

Select one of the following test codes to order genomic testing:

  • LAB9956 Rare Disease Genomic Testing
  • LAB7298 Genomic Test Request on Stored Sample

Select the required Clinical Indication.

Select “not for WGS”.

Provide all relevant clinical information.

In the free text box indicate “Semi Rapid Singleton WES” and indicate that approval has been given by the specialist testing provider (forward approval email to cuh.geneticslaboratories@nhs.net or add copy of email to patient notes in EPIC).

Consider arranging for parental blood samples to be sent for DNA storage to enable future WGS trio testing if required.

Contact providing laboratories for approval before placing orders for semi-rapid testing
Clinical
Indication ID
Semi-rapid
test code
Clinical
Indication
Lab
providing testing
Contact
email for pre-approval of testing
R15 Semi-rapid
test code
R15.5
Clinical
Indication
Primary
immunodeficiency
or monogenic
inflammatory
bowel disease
Lab
providing testing
North Thames
GMS (Great Ormond Street)
Contact
email for pre-approval of testing
gosh.geneticslab@nhs.net
R98 Semi-rapid
test code
R98.3
Clinical
Indication
Likely inborn
error of metabolism
Lab
providing testing
Central &
South GMS (Birmingham)
Contact
email for pre-approval of testing
bwc.metabolicgenomics@nhs.net
R135 Semi-rapid
test code
R135.3
Clinical
Indication
Paediatric or
syndromic cardiomyopathy
Lab
providing testing
South West
GMS (Bristol)
Contact
email for pre-approval of testing
nbn-tr.cardiacservice@nhs.net
R257 Semi-rapid
test code
R257.3
Clinical
Indication
Unexplained
young onset end-stage renal disease
Lab
providing testing
South West
GMS (Bristol)
Contact
email for pre-approval of testing
nbn-tr.swglhrenalservice@nhs.net