Anti-MPO Reagent Change
October 14, 2025
The manufacturer of anti-MPO reagent (for ANCA testing) has improved the assay thus resolving problems sometimes encountered by the laboratory, which while did not affect patient results, did affect laboratory processes. This improvement has caused a one-time shift in numerical values downwards. This may be a significant shift in some patient results compared to previous ones using the old reagent…
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Delay in Infectious Serology Testing
July 02, 2025
Due to an unexpected analyser failure on Monday, followed by a delay in the shipment of required parts from Sydney due to cancelled freight flights, the following tests are currently unable to be processed at Pathlab. Anti-TPO antibodies CMV serology EBV serology Hepatitis B serology Hepatitis A serology Hepatitis C antibody HIV serology Rubella IgG Syphilis screen Toxoplasma serology HIV screen…
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Reporting of Referral Laboratory Name
June 16, 2025
Pathlab laboratories are audited under ISO Standard 15189:2022, which sets requirements for quality and competence. This standard, revised in 2022, adopts a risk-based approach to our quality systems. Two new clauses were introduced: 7.4.1.4 Special considerations for results - 1. When agreed with the user, the results may be reported in a simplified way. Any information listed in clauses 7.4.1.…
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Change to FT4 Testing
May 09, 2025
Diagnosis of Thyroid dysfunction The relationship between TSH and FT4 makes TSH a very sensitive marker of thyroid function; if FT4 is decreased by 50%, TSH will increase about 100 times. In most patients TSH is the preferred initial test when checking for thyroid disease. If TSH falls outside the reference interval, additional testing will be automatically triggered: TSH > 5 FT4 is added TSH <…
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Skin Allergy Test Request Process
May 05, 2025
In September 2023, Pathlab released a clinical update with a link to the online skin prick request form, requesting that only this be used instead of the previous paper and fillable pdf versions. While most requests now come via this form, we continue to receive printed and scanned forms. Effective 1st June 2025, Pathlab will no longer accept skin prick requests that are not submitted via the…
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