HPV Swabbing
12 March 2026
The transition from the buffer containing HPV swab tube to the dry tube has gone well, but there are couple of important points to note about breaking the swab into the tube. You MUST break the swab at the indicated pink break line on the swab shaft as indicated in the photograph. !HPV Break Point Please do NOT cut off the swab above this break point for two reasons: - The swab will become stuck i…
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Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) Sample Collection & Labelling
19 January 2026
We are receiving a significant number of LBC samples with either labelling issues or the samples collection devices being incorrectly placed in the wrong well. We ask please to ensure the following processes are used to ensure accurate and consistent sample collection. Labelling Labels need to be small enough to fit on the SurePath LBC sample vials without flags or tags hanging from the vial. The…
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Patients with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles
10 November 2025
Please Do Not Refer Patients to Pathlab with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles To protect both patients and staff, any patient suspected of having measles or presenting with measles-like symptoms must not be referred to a Pathlab collection facilities for specimen collection. Patients suspected of measles should not attend community collection rooms , as this presents a significant transmission ris…
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Coeliac Disease Algorithm Change
07 November 2025
Change to Pathlab Coeliac Disease Algorithm – No upfront total IgA testing Pathlab utilises anti-tTG IgA as the primary screening test for coeliac disease. This is traditionally accompanied by a total IgA test to confirm the patient is not IgA-deficient (IgA undetectable, From November 11th 2025 Pathlab will cease initial total IgA testing on all coeliac requests. Total IgA will be added selective…
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Hospital Influenza and RSV PCR Summer Testing Criteria
25 October 2025
Summer is now upon us, and the RSV/Influenza season for 2025 appears to be over, with just occasional sporadic positive results now being observed. !Influenza / RSV PCR results Pathlab 2025 From Saturday 25th October, we will be putting in place summer Influenza/RSV testing criteria. Testing for Influenza/RSV will only be performed in the following circumstances: - The patient is in ICU (or to be…
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