News
Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is an immunological intestinal reaction to gluten in cereal causing the cells lining the small, intestine bowel to become damaged and inflamed. This is often found in people who are genetically predisposed to this condition. Coeliac disease in New ZealandAccording to international research, approximately 100,000 people across New Zealand have some form of coeliac […]
Oamaru area blood bank
After careful consideration and review, both the New Zealand Blood Service and Awanui Laboratories have collaborated to ensure patient safety whilst minimising blood component and product wastage in the region. As a result, effective from Monday 29April 2024, Oamaru Hospital Laboratory will transition to an emergency O-negative bank only. All non-urgent and planned transfusion testing […]
ANCA: Indications for testing
View the table of Indication for ANCA testing and clinical definitions here.
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.
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 […]
Our name is changing – introducing Awanui Labs
We are proud to announce, after 60 years in the community, Southern Community Laboratories (SCL) will be changing its name and brand to Awanui Labs.
Requests for free triodothyronine (Free T3, FT3)
In normal circumstances there is no need to request FT3 when assessing thyroid function or monitoring thyroxine therapy – serum FT3 concentration is often normal in hypothyroidism. Measurement of FT3 has no part to play in the diagnosis or monitoring of hypothyroidism and should not be requested when thyroid function tests are being used for […]
Upgrade to our laboratory information system
We are upgrading our Laboratory Information System (LIS). Here is how it will affect referrers. From 29 April 2023, Southern Community Labs will be going live with upgrades to its LIS. This is part of a nationwide initiative that will refresh our existing LIS. Not only does this upgrade make for a more robust system, […]
Laboratory update: Changes to microbiology services for Invercargill
Tēnā koutou, There have recently been some interim changes to the way microbiology laboratory services are provided at Invercargill hospital SCL laboratory. These changes were introduced in part to better streamline the workflow and improve turnaround times for critical results. They were also in response to on-going challenges with recruitment of suitably qualified Senior Microbiology […]