Aotea News March 2009

Access the articles from Aotea News, March 2009, below.

Editorial

The provision of pathology services has again been in the news with the media covering the current events in Auckland. As we go to print the current provider of services in Auckland, Diagnostic Medlab Ltd, has just been given notice. The DHBs have said they would only give Diagnostic Medlab notice when they are sure the move to a new provider will be seamless. Find out more here.

Stores department

We are very pleased to introduce Sean Maxwell who has recently joined Aotea Pathology as our stores person. Sean has extensive previous stores experience. Find out more here.

HIV screening in pregnancy

Aotea Pathology is currently working with both Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHB project teams on the introduction of antenatal HIV screening. Find out more here.

Duplicate testing

Duplicate request forms present a particular difficulty for the laboratory. Patients may present with request forms from a hospital clinic or private specialist and a general practitioner. Find out more here.

The tumour markers CA-125 and CEA

These two tumour markers can cause considerable trouble if ordered inappropriately. Find out more here.

Clinical biochemistry notes

The OGTT is not always required to diagnose diabetes and definitely should not be the first line test in screening. Fasting plasma glucose is the recommended screening test and is usually carried out in the context of a full cardiovascular risk assessment. Find out more here.

Herpes virus infections

The diagnosis of Herpes virus infections (oral and genital Herpes simplex, Chicken pox and shingles) is primarily clinical. Find out more here.

Non-laboratory containers

The laboratory frequently receives specimens which we consider unsafe to handle or likely to give inaccurate results. Wherever possible we try our best to rescue the specimen but sometimes we are unable to do this. We understand the frustration this causes you when we request another specimen but please understand our own difficulties. Find out more here.

Contacting a pathologist

In our recent referrer survey some of you noted that you experience difficulty in contacting a pathologist at times. Find out more here.

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