Testing information
These documents are intended to provide practical assistance with test selection, specimen requirements and specimen collection.
Use the search field below to search for documents by year of release, otherwise newer documents can be found at the bottom of the table below.
| Document name | Date |
|---|---|
Bordetella PCR sample collection Samples for Bordetella PCR testing are no longer collected in our rooms. Please refer to collection instructions for further information. | - |
Hepatitis B interpretation - Lead Maternity Carers A guideline for Lead Maternity Carers to help in the interpretation of common patterns of Hepatitis B marker results. Please note that other patterns are possible and in these cases, advice should be sought from a specialist with expertise in Hepatitis B. | - |
Hepatitis B interpretation - Primary Care A guideline to help in the interpretation of common patterns of Hepatitis B marker results. Please note that other patterns are possible and in these cases, advice should be sought from a specialist with expertise in Hepatitis B. | - |
Sample collection instructions for Rubella PCR testing. | - |
This clinical memorandum provides details of the change to blood collection tubes in August 2010. | 18 October 2011 |
Fine Needle Aspiration instructions Instructions for the collection of Fine Needle aspirates including how to prepare and fix slides. | 18 October 2011 |
Respiratory Virus PCR sample collection Guidelines for the collection of Respiratory Virus PCR samples. | 18 October 2011 |
Guidelines for the storage of samples. | 18 October 2011 |
This clinical bulletin provides up-to-date information on cervical cytology. It covers background information on cervical cancer including cervical cancer statistics, an overview of the New Zealand Cancer Audit 2004, and best practice advice on specimen collection for both conventional and liquid-based smears. The bulletin summarises the updated Bethesda Reporting System (2001) that was adopted by all New Zealand laboratories in July 2005. Also included are the NCSP recommendations for follow-up and an overview of the NCSP Operational Policy and Quality Standards of Smeartakers and Laboratory and Histology Service. | 18 October 2011 |
Scabies collection guidelines. | 28 November 2012 |
QuantiFERON Gold NZMN statement The New Zealand Microbiology Network distributed a position statement regarding the use of the QuantiFERON Gold in-tube assay to screen for tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers, students and other occupational groups in New Zealand. | 12 December 2015 |
Instructions for Measles PCR sample collection | 29 May 2017 |
Instructions for Mumps PCR sample collection | 6 September 2017 |
| Changes to Non-molecular Vaginal Swab Testing 2017 | 21 November 2017 |
Please read here for local sample collection instructions | 12 May 2020 |
| Antibiogram - MidCentral DHB | 18 June 2020 |
| Antibiogram - Tairawhiti DHB | 18 June 2020 |
| Antibiogram - Whanganui DHB | 18 June 2020 |
Antimicrobial susceptibility changes 2020 Medlab Central follows the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines on antibiotic testing. We plan to introduce the latest EUCAST changes in mid-August 2020. The main changes are detailed here. | 9 July 2020 |
Availabilty for Sterile Body Fluids cell count and culture Information on aspirate sample collection and testing availability after hours. | 21 October 2020 |