HPV FAQ’s
Which regions does Pathlab provide HPV Primary Screening to?
Pathlab provides HPV testing for the following regions:
- Waikato
- Bay of Plenty
- Lakes
- Tairawhiti
- Hawkes Bay
- MidCentral
- Whanganui
How do I order HPV Primary Screening specimen consumables from Pathlab?
Please follow directions for ordering supplies as per this ‘Order Supplies’ page on the Pathlab website.
How do I send the collected HPV screening specimens to Pathlab?
Transportation of specimens is as per your current laboratory courier service.
What are the minimum labelling requirements for an HPV specimen?
HPV specimens are like all laboratory specimens and require a minimum of at least 3 identifying criteria which can include: first name, last name, NHI number, date of birth. If there are fewer than 3 unique identifiers on the specimen, a recollect may be required.
What specimen types can I use for HPV screening?
The introduction of HPV as the primary test enables the use of a vaginal swab either self-collected by the patient or clinician collected, or a SurePath liquid based cytology (LBC) cervical collection. If you are collecting an LBC do NOT also collect a swab, if HPV testing is required it will be performed on the LBC vial.
It should be noted that in some clinical circumstances an LBC would be the recommended specimen, e.g. if the patient is symptomatic, for some follow-up testing, if co-testing is required.
Can the patient elect to have a cytology screen rather than an HPV test?
No. The new screening test is HPV which is far more sensitive than cytology as a screening test for cervical cancer.
However, if the HPV test is positive and an LBC specimen was collected then it will automatically get cytology reflex testing. If a swab is HPV positive, then an LBC collect will be requested so cytology testing can be performed.
What specimen should be collected on symptomatic patients?
If the patient is symptomatic then it is recommended an LBC is collected with the symptoms recorded on the laboratory form, and co-testing for HPV and cytology requested.
How much do the HPV collection kits cost?
HPV swab kit and SurePath vial costs are covered within the test funding and are at no cost to you as per other laboratory specimen consumables.
Please ensure you only order what you need and have good stock rotation to ensure collection consumables don’t expire. Please do not use expired kits as these specimens will require a recollect.
What does the HPV swab collection kit look like?
The HPV swab collection kit provided by Pathlab contains:
- A 2-D barcode with a link to the collection instructions on the Pathlab website
- Flocked swab in a peel pack with indicated break line, for sampling
- Dry tube to break off swab into.
How quickly do I have to get the HPV specimen to the laboratory?
Once the HPV swab is in the dry tube it is stable for 4 weeks at room temperature. The SurePath LBC vial is stable for 4 weeks at room temperature.
It is recommended all specimens are transported to the laboratory as soon as possible and please ensure samples are not exposed to extreme heat, e.g., don’t leave in direct sunlight or in an unoccupied car.
How do I label the HPV swab buffer tube?
It is important you know the swab buffer tube is placed in a rack that is then loaded into a fully automated instrument so please ensure the 2D barcodes at the top of the HPV tube label are not covered as the instrument needs to read these.
Also, if using sticky labels please ensure there are no flags or tags otherwise the tube will not fit into the instrument racks. Thank you for your assistance.