HPV Swabbing
March 12, 2026
The transition from the buffer containing HPV swab tube to the dry tube has gone well, but there are couple of important points to note about breaking the swab into the tube. You MUST break the swab at the indicated pink break line on the swab shaft as indicated in the photograph. HPV Break Point Please do NOT cut off the swab above this break point for two reasons: The swab will become stuck in…
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Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) Sample Collection & Labelling
January 19, 2026
We are receiving a significant number of LBC samples with either labelling issues or the samples collection devices being incorrectly placed in the wrong well. We ask please to ensure the following processes are used to ensure accurate and consistent sample collection. Labelling Labels need to be small enough to fit on the SurePath LBC sample vials without flags or tags
hanging from the vial. The…
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Patients with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles
November 10, 2025
Please Do Not Refer Patients to Pathlab with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles To protect both patients and staff, any patient suspected of having measles or presenting with measles-like symptoms must not be referred to a Pathlab collection facilities for specimen collection. Patients suspected of measles should not attend community collection rooms, as this presents a significant transmission risk…
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Coeliac Disease Algorithm Change
November 07, 2025
Change to Pathlab Coeliac Disease Algorithm – No upfront total IgA testing Pathlab utilises anti-tTG IgA as the primary screening test for coeliac disease. This is traditionally accompanied by a total IgA test to confirm the patient is not IgA-deficient (IgA undetectable, <0.05 g/L) as this causes false negative anti-tTG results. Anti-DGP IgG is automatically added by the laboratory when total IgA…
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Hospital Influenza and RSV PCR Summer Testing Criteria
October 25, 2025
Summer is now upon us, and the RSV/Influenza season for 2025 appears to be over, with just occasional sporadic positive results now being observed. Influenza / RSV PCR results Pathlab 2025 From Saturday 25th October, we will be putting in place summer Influenza/RSV testing criteria. Testing for Influenza/RSV will only be performed in the following circumstances: The patient is in ICU (or to be…
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