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
The HER2 (ERBB2) protein is expressed at a low level in normal cells, but over-expressed in 18-20% of breast cancers.
Patients with HER2 gene amplification are eligible for treatment with trastuzumab (Herceptin®), which targets HER2 and has proved remarkably effective in patients with a tumour over-expressing the protein, in both metastatic and adjuvant settings.
Genetics - Cytogenetics
CTGN
ERBB2 FISH
10 days
9033
Only tissue preserved in neutral buffered formalin and paraffin embedded is suitable for use. NB: Samples de-calcified in Formic acid are not suitable for FISH as this process affects the integrity of the DNA.
Tissue specimens should be cut into sections of 2-4µm, ideally on poly-L-lysine slides.
The H&E slide must be assessed by a pathologist prior to receipt, and appropriate areas for FISH analysis should be clearly marked.
Ensure one H&E slide and 2-3 unprocessed slides are supplied.
Slide must be clearly labelled with two patient identifiers, matching those on the request form.
Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
Transport to lab in slide-holders or boxes at ambient temperature
Current cases are analysed and reported in accordance with CAP/ASCO recommendations (2013):
Wolff et al: Recommendations for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Testing in Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists Clinical Practice Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov 31(31): 3997-4014.
For cases received prior to 1st November 2013, the CAP/ASCO Guidelines (2007) were followed:
Wolff A C, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guideline recommendations for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jan 1;25(1): 118-45.
Please contact this laboratory if you have any questions regarding these changes.
Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE) slides using a probe specific to the HER2 (ERBB2) locus and a chromosome 17 control probe.
$387.66 (Exclusive of GST)
9033