{"id":167,"date":"2020-06-12T00:42:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T00:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awanuilabs.co.nz\/south\/nmt\/?page_id=167"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T01:27:20","slug":"test-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.awanuilabs.co.nz\/south\/nmt\/for-referrers\/test-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Test guide &amp; sample collection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Test guide<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>Welcome to the Awanui Labs Test Guide, our online tool for laboratory tests. This guide aims to provide clear guidelines for the collection of the majority of laboratory tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on <a href=\"https:\/\/scg.labapps.nz\/#\/NHO\/\">here for Nelson<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/scg.labapps.nz\/#\/WHO\/\">here for Wairau<\/a> and then start typing the required test.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Blood collection information<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>Here is the recommended <a href=\"https:\/\/fl-healthscope-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/lab-sites\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Awanui-Labs-Order-of-Draw.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Order of Draw<\/a> for blood collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Blood cultures<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fl-healthscope-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/lab-sites\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/blood-culture-collection-wingetset-poster-provided-by-biomerieux.pdf\">Blood culture collection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fl-healthscope-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/lab-sites\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/Blood-cultures-recommendation-NZMN-FINAL.pdf\">Blood culture recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Confidential requests<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>In order to provide patient anonymity it is sometimes necessary to use a confidential ID code.&nbsp; Our recommendation is that you use the universal code as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The first two letters of the surname<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first letter of the given name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>M or F (for male\/female)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The DOB (six numbers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example Ann Smith 24\/3\/64 would be code SMAF240364.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When a code is used the NHI should be omitted<\/strong>, otherwise the system will match up the patient details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>If a reference number has been allocated for the patient \u2013 write the number in the \u2018Drs Ref\u2019 box on the requisition form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If not using the universal code a minimum of four letters or numbers, or a combination of four letters\/numbers is required, together with the word \u201cCode\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Mycology Collection Guidelines<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>To support accurate testing and ensure an efficient experience for your patients, please note the following guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bookings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Bookings are preferred so we can ensure experienced staff are available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Patients can book online via the <strong>Awanui Labs website<\/strong> or through our call centre.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pre-Collection Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>No antifungal creams or ointments for <strong>72 hours<\/strong> prior to collection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No oral antifungal medications for <strong>6 weeks<\/strong> prior to collection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please ensure nail polish is removed prior to nail clipping collections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collection Limitations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Groin or genital scrapings cannot be performed at Awanui collection centres.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please <strong>perform these at the time of consultation<\/strong>, otherwise patients will be referred to the referrer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Sample labelling criteria<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>Please note that samples will be&nbsp;<strong>discarded<\/strong>&nbsp;if they do not meet our labelling criteria. A&nbsp;minimum of two points of identification (e.g.&nbsp;<strong>full name<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>NHI<\/strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>DOB<\/strong>) are required on all specimens and forms to meet regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Specimen ON ICE protocol<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>Place the specimen with a bag of ice (not in the freezer) for transport to the laboratory. Keep the specimen in the fridge if there is to be a delay before transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some samples may have a \u201cdeliver to the laboratory within x hours\u201d requirement. It is recommended that these patients are sent to our collection centres for sample collection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Specimen storage<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>If a sample is not dispatched to the laboratory on the day of collection, please store as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Store these specimens in the fridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>All urines for microbiology and cytology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faeces specimens for microbiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Viral swabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sputum for microbiology and cytology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Store these specimens at room temperature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Bacterial amies swabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aspirates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chlamydia swabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chlamydia urines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blood specimens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Blood specimens should not be stored overnight.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">SST tubes and centrifugation protocol<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>Please note: This information is ONLY for sites which hold a Awanui Labs centrifuge (due to distance from the lab).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All bloods taken in SST (Gold) tubes require 30 minutes standing time before centrifugation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the 30 minutes have elapsed, the SST tubes are to be spun in the Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 3500 rpm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon completion of the centrifugation, the specimen is removed and placed in the appropriate biohazard bag, with the requisition form in the pouch, to await collection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-accordion ab-block-accordion\"><details><summary class=\"ab-accordion-title\">Swab guides<\/summary><div class=\"ab-accordion-text\">\n<p>For more information on swab sample collection please see our guides <a href=\"https:\/\/fl-healthscope-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/lab-sites\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Swab-ID-guide-Awanui-19.9.24.pdf\">here<\/a> &#8211; which swab to use for which test.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":19,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-left-sidebar.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Test guide &amp; sample collection &#8211; Awanui Labs - Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Welcome to the New Zealand Healthscope Test Guide, our online tool for laboratory tests. 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