Blog
Guide for skin excision orientation
The Nelson laboratory receives a large number of skin excision specimens for various type of lesion. Many of these come with orientation markers, which places an increased workload on the laboratory, and with the large volume of skin specimens, this can quickly become unmanageable. To try to reduce unnecessary work, the laboratory requests referrers consider […]
King’s birthday weekend
All of our collection centres will be closed on Monday June 3 for the King’s birthday public holiday.
Transition to Bio Merieux Blood Culture System
We are pleased to announce that Awanui Laboratory Nelson / Marlborough is now prepared to fully transition to the Bio Merieux blood culture system. This transition will involve the utilisation of differently shaped blood culture bottles, along with a modified adaptor. Please note that the new adaptor allows for the continued use of blood tubes. […]
ANZAC day
Our collection centres will be closed on Thursday 25 April for the ANZAC day public holiday.
Easter Weekend
Please note that all Awanui Labs collection centres are closed on Good Friday (29 March) and Easter Monday (1 April). Collection centres that normally open on Saturdays will be open on the weekend.
Waitangi Day
All of our collection centres will be closed on Tuesday 6 February for Waitangi day. (Photo credit: Aaron Mickan, Unsplash)
Infection prevention & control webinar
We invite you to watch the recording of the Annual Awanui Infection Prevention and Control Webinar held on 8 December, 2023 with guest speakers – Dr Juliet Elvy and Dr Aaron Keene, Clinical Microbiologists. It features presentations on: View the recording here.
Changes to Health Connect South results
From Monday 2 October 2023, interim results from Awanui laboratories will display in Health Connect South (HCS) for both hospital and community testing. This change will see: This is a significant change to what is currently shown so please communicate this to all clinicians. Please see below how results will be displayed in HCS.
Enteric pathogen testing changing to PCR
From Monday 2nd October 2023 we will be replacing routine faecal culture and Giardia/Cryptosporidium EIA testing with a single multiplex faecal PCR test. PCR is more sensitive than culture and EIA testing, and this new method will improve detection of enteric pathogens with a similar or superior turnaround time. This is in keeping with best […]
Changes to the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP): HPV Primary Testing
From 12 September 2023, the primary test for cervical screening will change to a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, with the option of self-testing. Further information about the change can be accessed via the National Screening Unit HPV primary screening webpage located here. There are two sample types that Awanui labs will be accepting for HPV […]