Resumption of Routine HIV Screening
22 June 2026
We are pleased to advise that our resupply of HIV screening reagents has now been received. Our team has worked diligently throughout the weekend to clear the backlog of samples accumulated over the past week, and testing services have now resumed as normal. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding during this period.
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Temporary Suspension of Routine HIV Screening
15 June 2026
Due to an unexpected global supply chain disruption, our supplier has been unable to provide HIV screening reagents as planned. Despite maintaining local buffer stock and access to New Zealand–based inventory, we have now been advised that no reagent is currently available within New Zealand or Australia. Urgent resupply is in progress, with stock being expedited from overseas. Pathlab has now exh…
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Diagnostic Stewardship - Wound Swabs
13 May 2026
There are a limited number of clinical scenarios where sending a wound swab to the laboratory can add clinical value. We have reviewed these indications and they are listed below: Wound infection with accompanying systemic signs (e.g. fever/tachycardia) Infected wounds not responding to standard empiric treatment Infected post-surgical wound Infected bite wound Infected burn wound Infected penetra…
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Test Updates - HbA1c, FIB-4 Index, FT3
17 April 2026
HbA1c: Updated Diagnostic Thresholds The Diabetes National Clinical Network has issued updated HbA1c diagnostic thresholds to align New Zealand reporting with global standards and to support improved patient outcomes. Diabetes: HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (lowered from the current ≥ 50 mmol/mol). Prediabetes: HbA1c 42 – 47 mmol/mol (increased from the current 40 mmol/mol). Normal: HbA1c 53 mmol/mol. HbA1c…
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Single Site Blood Culture Sampling for Adults
09 April 2026
Single-site blood culture sampling is now recommended as the standard approach for adult patients requiring blood cultures, except where specific clinical indications necessitate sampling from separate sites. Single-site sampling involves collecting the full recommended blood volume from a single peripheral venipuncture and inoculating all bottles. “Separate-site sampling” should only be considere…
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