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
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
TBG
TB Polymerase Chain Reaction
7 days
8240
If fresh tissue specimens are not available paraffin block specimens are acceptable. Please send 10-12 sections to the laboratory in a labelled specimen container at room temperature.. These are able to be tested by PCR only using AnyPlex method.
Polymerase Chain Reaction -
PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is done by GeneXpert on request.
Sputum - will be decontaminated before PCR testing.
Pleural fluid - >5mLs undiluted or in EDTA tube.
Blood or bone marrow - Collect into EDTA tube.
FNA or tissue biopsy - Collect into sterile container.
CSF - Minimum 1.0 mL but preferably 5.0 mLs or more (consultation with Microbiologist desirable).
Seegene AnyPlex testing available for non-tuberculous mycobacteria after consultation with Microbiologist.
$222.80 (Exclusive of GST)
8240
GeneXpert allows for detection of M.tuberculosis and determination of Rifampicin susceptibility from direct specimens within 24 - 48 hours of receipt in the laboratory. For M.tuberculosis on ZN positive respiratory specimens sensitivity and specificity is close to 100%. There is decreased sensitivity for ZN negative respiratory specimens and non-respiratory specimens.
Seegene AnyPlex allows for detection of MTB or other (non-speciated) mycobacteria.
Susceptibility testing, both genotypic and phenotypic, are completed when a M. tuberculosis culture has grown. First line susceptibilities include Rifampacin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Streptomycin and Pyrazinamde. For second Line susceptibilities please phone Microbiologist.
Not a routine test. Batched at least weekly, urgent testing after consultation with a Microbiologist only.