Transfusion Samples Labelling Process
October 19, 2022
New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) are updating their sample labelling for group & hold (transfusion) samples, as per below. Pathlab will also be moving to the same criteria effective Monday 7th November 2022 to ensure we can continue to refer samples to NZBS. Please circulate this updated process to any staff who may collect samples. New criteria – label it correctly or re-collect From Monday…
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Respiratory Virus Testing
September 20, 2022
Spring is well and truly upon us; the weather is warming up and respiratory viruses are moving into their summer phase. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) numbers are down to almost nothing and SARS-CoV-2 numbers remain low. This means that effective Monday 3rd October we will stop routinely performing the SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A+B/RSV multiplex molecular assay on all respiratory virus…
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STI Collection Kit Change
August 29, 2022
Pathlab is excited to announce the implementation of a new BD COR high throughput molecular analyser to perform several tests including the STI panels (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas). This is only the second instrument of its type commissioned in the world and offers improvements over the existing assay and instruments. Dual target self-confirming gonorrhoea test meaning reduced turnaround…
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Laboratory Testing for Monkeypox
June 02, 2022
There is currently an outbreak of Monkeypox in Europe, North America and Australia. The virus is related to smallpox but is less severe. It is not easily transmitted between people.
Infection occurs following close contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated material.
The virus enters the body through broken skin, mucous membranes or the respiratory tract. Incubation period 5-21 days…
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LDL equation / LH & FSH reference intervals update
May 04, 2022
Waikato DHB and Pathlab will implement a new LDL- Cholesterol (LDL-C) equation on 16th May 2022. The Friedwald equation has been used to calculate LDL since 1972. Friedewald knew that with increasing triglyceride levels, the calculated LDL-C was progressively falsely lower when compared with the gold standard technique and therefore Friedewald stated LDL-C should not be calculated when…
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