Hospital visiting guidelines updated 20 July 2022: Hospital visitors must wear a surgical/medical paper mask. Fabric face coverings are no longer acceptable. See our COVID-19 pages for detailed information about hospital visiting guidelines, COVID-19 tests and care in the community advice. See www.vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz for information about vaccinations.
We are at ORANGE according to the NZ COVID-19 Protection Framework
Last updated:
9th April 2022
We have therefore tightened visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury hospitals and health facilities.
Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is to keep everybody safe:
By sticking to the rules above, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Exceptions to the ‘one visitor’ policy
Visiting patients with COVID-19
You must NOT visit the hospital if you
Exceptions for people with disabilities
An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to the one permitted visitor.
Everyone visiting our facilities must wear a mask, no exceptions
While we appreciate that some people have legitimate reasons for being exempt from wearing a mask and may even have an official card to confirm this, people who cannot or will not wear a mask cannot visit someone in hospital or attend hospital, other than to access healthcare. This is another measure to minimise the risk to vulnerable patients.
Patients and visitors should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.
More COVID-19 information
Microbiology - Bacteriology
ASP
Bi-refringent crystals
Cell count
Crystal examination
Gout
Pseudogout
Quantitative cell count
2 weeks
2125
Pre-Testing Requirements - Not required but necessary if required urgently, please contact the laboratory.
Patient Specimen - Aspirate in capped syringe* or sterile pottle
For cell counts and differential - put aspirate into EDTA tube and mix.
Deliver ambient temperature, to lab ASAP. Do not send syringe with attached needles.Use protective cap on syringes or deliver sample in person.
Microscopy (polarised microscopy if requested, quantitative cell count if requested or if EDTA tube is received**) Gram stain and culture
PLEASE NOTE: EDTA ONLY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CULTURE
Full fungal culture if requested.
$13.64 (Exclusive of GST)
2125
Microbiology to aliquot to other departments.*Do not send syringe with attached needles.Use protective cap on syringes or deliver sample in person. Clotted specimen gives equivocal cell counts.