News

Post-Surge Microbiology Testing during COVID Pandemic
September 08, 2021

COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 test volumes have now settled to some extent from the latest test surge due to the community outbreak of the Delta variant. However, COVID test numbers remain elevated and further surges notwithstanding, are likely to continue at increased levels for the foreseeable future. Normal requesting patterns can now be resumed (including samples for mycobacterial culture following the…

Keep Reading →

Medical Venesection - Iron Overload / Polycythaemia
September 02, 2021

Pathlab Waikato previously operated a Venesection service under the direction and control of the referring clinician, with oversight by our service. During the COVID lockdown period, and at the direction of the National Haematologist advisory group, medical venesection for iron overload was restricted to those patients with ferritin >1000 μg/L. Implementation of this direction required an audit of…

Keep Reading →

COVID-19 Patient & Healthcare Worker Safety
August 30, 2021

There appears to be confusion still regarding appropriate urgent or acute testing and routine testing requests. As per the lock-down levels last year, Pathlab laboratories ask please that all requestors ensure that they choose wisely. Choose Wisely The term ‘choose wisely’ now has a very different interpretation so before requesting any laboratory investigation tests during alert levels 4 or…

Keep Reading →

Microbiology requesting during COVID-19 testing surge
August 23, 2021

The current community outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant has caused a huge surge in local demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing, averaging over 2000 tests per day over the past 5 days for Pathlab. Other microbiology and molecular requests need to be urgently reduced in order to re-allocate staff for COVID testing. We would ask please that all “routine” testing is minimised as much as possible. Please…

Keep Reading →

COVID-19 Level 4 Laboratory Information 2
August 20, 2021

Reduction in Community Collection Facilities COVID surveillance swabbing is available tomorrow Saturday 21st August 2021 and Sunday 22nd August at the dedicated CTC in the parking building at Tauranga Crossing shopping centre. OPEN - 8.30am – 3.00pm. We will advise if this will continue past Sunday. Effective Monday 23rd August 2021: Katikati: OPEN Monday, Wednesday, Friday, CLOSED Tuesday…

Keep Reading →