Axe the Fax
August 02, 2019
Recent advice from the MoH and ACC regarding secure transmission of health data, includes information regarding the soon to become obsolete facsimile technology. Pathlab, like other businesses have many workflows that use fax and we have been working hard to develop alternatives. Request forms - Some clinicians / midwives fax through request forms for patients – the alternative now is to email the…
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Feedback from Consultation on Pre-requisite Clinical Details on all Microbiology Samples
July 29, 2019
Feedback from the consultation document “Clinical details as a pre-requisite for all microbiology samples” was reviewed by the clinical microbiologists and senior staff in the microbiology department. We have decided to trial this policy across the region with a start date of 2nd September 2019. The feedback received centred around the following areas and is summarised below: “The clinical details…
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Testing for Cardiac Markers
July 24, 2019
A recent IANZ audit highlighted ambiguity in cardiac marker requests and suggested adoption of standard terminology. Ambiguity in requests can lead to inappropriate tests being performed on patient samples, so from August 2019 we will introduce the following process: Cardiac Markers The cardiac marker we use at Pathlab is Troponin I which is a high sensitivity assay. Requests received…
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Swab Breakpoint
July 18, 2019
Pathlab provide both the Puritan Opti-Swab and Copan eSwab, liquid Amies collection and transport systems. They are almost identical in appearance, feature a flocked swab, are designed for ease of collection, and subsequent laboratory processing on automated platforms. They maintain viability of aerobic, anaerobic and fastidious bacteria for up to 48 hours, (gonorrhoea up to 24 hours), at room and…
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Hospital Clinicians - Extended Respiratory Viral Panel
May 31, 2019
Pathlab are pleased to announce the local implementation of an extended respiratory viral panel on the Qiastat-Dx molecular platform based at Pathlab Bay of Plenty. This is a multiplex assay using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. Validation has now been completed on this assay and it is now available to clinicians at Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua and Taupo Hospitals. It has a turnaround…
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