LabPLUS

The anatomical pathology department at LabPLUS is a major referral laboratory comprising several disciplines, including:

• cytology
• histology
• electron microscopy.

We work with other external hospitals from around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. This means we report on a broad range of specimens. To service this diversity, we have an experienced team with specialist knowledge.

Test information in the LabPLUS Test Guide

Cytology testing — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Histology —LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Electron microscopy — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Tissue management

The tissue management section receives patient requests to return tissue and body part specimens that have been sent to the laboratory for testing or storage.

All body part and tissue specimens sent to the laboratory, and ultimately requiring 'return to patient', must be accompanied by a 'Body part / Tissue release' form (CR2547).

Body parts and tissues for 'return to patient' are generally available for return 5 to 6 weeks after arrival.

Body parts and tissue sent for storage only prior to return are generally available within 1 to 2 days and must be collected from LabPLUS.

Contact

Email: tissuemanagement@adhb.govt.nz

The automation and laboratory support service offers a comprehensive range of analytes and referral testing, providing clients with a focused and unique service.

Our areas of expertise:

• specimen services — internal work and external work
• core automated biochemistry.

What we do

We use advanced systems to streamline workflows from pre-analytical to post-analytical stages, improving both efficiency and accuracy.

Our experienced chemical pathologists, scientists, and technical staff provide:

• clinical interpretation
• guidance on specimen requirements to ensure optimal results.

Specimen services

LabPLUS receives specimens from Te Toka Tumai | Auckland and external laboratories across New Zealand.

Our specimen services team handles:

• registration and pre-analytical processing of patient specimens
• sending selected tests to national and international reference laboratories.

To contact specimen services, email MinishalK@adhb.govt.nz

Core automated biochemistry

Our automated biochemistry section uses state-of-the-art, computer-linked analysers to deliver:

• up to 125 general and specialist chemistries
• therapeutic drug analysis, cardiac and tumour marker assays
• rapid turnaround times with reduced errors through an automated pre-analytical system.

We are proud to be the only New Zealand laboratory participating in the CDC Lipid Standardisation Programme.

In addition, we:

• manage non-routine testing
• explore new assays and innovations to remain a modern, quality-focused healthcare provider.

To contact automated biochemistry, email KGlover@adhb.govt.nz

We offer a range of laboratory services for clinical research and trials. These services include specialised tests essential for diagnosis and genetic analysis.

IATA-trained staff can provide:

• local testing
• storage of specimens
• shipping to central laboratories worldwide.

For a quote or more detailed information about these services:

• email sandraf@adhb.govt.nz
• fill out the LabPLUS request for quote formexternal link

The Anatomic Pathology Service (APS) provides community-referred histology, cytology, HPV and cervical cytology (ThinPrep) services for the greater Auckland region.

Testing not performed at our laboratory in Mt Wellington is sent to the Auckland reference laboratory, LabPLUS, at Auckland City Hospital.

Contact information

Phone: 09 302 0516

Freephone: 0800 256 356

Hours: 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Street address:

37-41 Carbine Road
Mt Wellington
Auckland 1060

Postal address:

PO Box 14587
Panmure
Auckland 1741

Key contacts

Frozen section and fine needle aspiration (FNA) bookings

Phone: 09 639 0212

Clinical lead — Dr Michael Hitchcock

• Phone: 09 638 0189
• Phone (mobile): 021 195 7912

Cytology scientist unit manager — Liz Pringle

• Phone: 09 638 0179
• Phone (mobile): 021 869 465

Ordering supplies

The Anatomic Pathology Service (APS) provides all testing of community-referred histology, cytology and cervical cytology (ThinPrep).

Use the form below to order supplies for the collection of these samples.

To help us process your order quickly:

• clearly indicate the doctor or practice name and address
• the pack size is shown beside each item — order by entering the number of packs you require
• we recommend ordering fortnightly to reduce the chance of expired stock
• allow 2 to 3 days for the delivery of supplies from the placement of the order
• orders of APS request form pads should be placed by 5pm Tuesday for delivery the following week
• items are supplied for specimen testing at APS.

To place an order, fill out the supply order form:

APS supply order form

Email the completed form to aps.info@adhb.govt.nz

Eligibility requirements for laboratory referrals

The cost of a laboratory test will be covered if you meet the eligibility criteria. Not all tests are funded, even if you are eligible. You will need to pay for your tests if you do not meet the criteria.

Establishing and declaring eligibility on APS request forms

A healthcare provider is responsible for confirming the patient's eligibility status. They do this by sighting either a:

• passport
• visa
• birth certificate.

They then declare the status on the request form.

To declare eligibility on the form, add the patient's NHI to the form and print one of the following (or similar) on a computer-generated form:

• "New Zealand" — patient is a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or on a resident visa
• "Eligible non-NZ" — patient has a work visa for 24 months or more
• "Non-NZ" — patient is not eligible (visitor, student visa, medical treatment visa).

Or on the APS pre-printed forms, tick the appropriate box(es).

Payment process for an ineligible patient

If a patient is ineligible for funded tests, the healthcare provider will need to provide:

• the cost of the tests
• the payment options.

This must be done before samples are sent to APS.

An APS test price guide is available on request. For more information, call 09 302 0516

With some complex histology testing, only an estimate of the final total cost can be provided until final sample processing is completed.

You should advise the patient of the estimated total cost, including GST.

If collecting payment from the patient at the time of the consultation, on the request form either:

• write 'Charge to practice'
• tick the 'Invoice to practice' box.

APS will invoice the practice for the quoted amount.

If APS is sending the patient an invoice, on the request form:

• write 'Charge patient' or tick the 'Invoice to patient' box
• provide their email address, phone number and New Zealand postal address.

APS will email an invoice to the patient.

If a patient is found to be ineligible after samples arrive at APS, we will contact the practice to discuss payment arrangements.

For more information:

• email aps.info@adhb.govt.nz
• phone 09 302 0516

Guides

• APS test guide — MediaLabexternal link
• APS service guide — MediaLabexternal link
• HPV and cervical cytology information guide
• HPV and cervical cytology FAQs
• Fine needle aspiration information for patients
• Return of human tissue patient information

Analysing the human genome: providing breadth and depth

Diagnostic genetics — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Diagnostic genetics request form — MediaLabexternal link

Diagnostic genetics sendaway service

For genomic tests that are not performed at LabPLUS, DNA can be extracted and sent to national or international laboratories for testing.

Access our genomic sendaway list, instructions and forms:

Diagnostic genetics send away —LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Contact

Email: DGen@adhb.govt.nz

LabPLUS offers an extensive occupational health screening programme, including:

• workplace drug testing
• staff wellness checks
• hepatitis exposure and liver function.

Contact us with your needs — we can tailor a testing solution for you.

Email: rossh@adhb.govt.nz

Your practical guide to working safely with hazardous substances — Worksafeexternal link

LabPLUS school programme

Secondary schools are experiencing a greater awareness of drug and alcohol abuse by their students both in and out of school.

Part of a school's policy on managing this trend may be the requirement to have the students' urine tested for drugs, especially cannabis and occasionally methamphetamine (P).

This could be for counselling and compliance reasons, especially where an agreement has been developed between the student, their parents or guardians and the school.

This non-punitive approach is proving to be successful within schools where a supportive counselling programme has been adopted with students who have been identified as either having an established drug habit or are experimenting with drugs.

A robust, but non-evidential (cannot be used for legal purposes) process for this type of testing has been developed by LabPLUS.

A screening test will include processes designed to eliminate cheating and a kit that will facilitate the simple collection of a sample within the school.

Community alcohol and drug services — Auckland

Contact

• Phone: 09 307 8995
• Freephone: 0800 522 7587

The haematology laboratory provides tests for the diagnosis and treatment of blood cell and coagulation disorders.

We provide services covering:

• Auckland City Hospital
• Starship Children's Hospital
• Greenlane Clinical Centre.

We are a major referral centre for New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Services we provide include:

• full blood count
• coagulation
• cellular morphology
• special haematology
• cell markers.

Our clinical microbiology laboratory provides a wide range of services, including:

• sexual health screening
• enteric pathogens
• multiple resistant organisms.

We are also the national reference centre for:

• mycology
• anaerobes
• molecular typing of mycobacteria.

Microbiology — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) information

• CJD information sheet for clinicians — MediaLabexternal link
• CJD information sheet for families — MediaLabexternal link
• Postmortem consent for suspected CJD autopsy — MediaLabexternal link

Antibiotic susceptibility reports

Antibiotic susceptibility reports

LabPLUS operates a phlebotomy service for the collection of samples for laboratory testing.

The department provides pre-analytical services for patients of:

• Auckland City Hospital
• Starship Children's Hospital
• Green Lane Clinical Centre
• clinical trial research units.

Phlebotomy service — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Laboratory tests requested by your healthcare provider are performed by Awanui Labs.

Awanui Labs Aucklandexternal link

Information for patients

We only perform and collect tests requested by medically trained practitioners. Your healthcare provider will advise where you need to go to get a test done.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is defined as 'laboratory testing performed outside of clinical laboratories'.

Currently, LabPLUS maintains, calibrates and controls many different pieces of equipment which fall under the POCT umbrella. We do this at:

• Auckland City Hospital
• Starship Children's Hospital
• Greenlane Clinical Centre.

Extensive training of clinical staff, mastery and auditing processes are also part of POCT.

POCT equipment used in Te Toka Tumai | Auckland includes:

• radiometer blood gas analysers
• Accu-Chek Inform II glucose meters
• DCA glycated haemoglobin analysers
• i-STAT whole blood gas, electrolyte and metabolite analysers
• haemoscope thrombelastograph (TEG)
• ITC Hemochron Signature Elite
• hemocue haemoglobin analyser
• Medtronic ACT II and ACT Plus analysers
• CoaguChek XS Pro.

Key contacts

Operations Manager — Nadia Alanbuky

Email: NadiaA@adhb.govt.nz

Section Leader — Andrew Meisner

Email: AMeisner@adhb.govt.nz

This will also CC an email to the POCT team.

Services provided include:

• endocrinology
• special techniques
• trace metals
• antenatal down screening
• newborn baby metabolic screening
• biochemical genetics and clinical metabolic service
• toxicology
• HPLC.

Chemical pathology — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

24-hour urine tests for recurrent kidney stones

Information for patients:

How to complete 24 urine test for people with kidney stones — MediaLabexternal link

Diet tips to prevent stones — MediaLabexternal link

Medical management pathway:

Principles of medical management for kidney stone patients — MediaLabexternal link

Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions

You must include a fully completed form for antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions requests.

Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions request form — MediaLabexternal link

You can also order a pad of forms. To do this, either:

• phone: 09 307 8995
• email: newbornscreeningresources@adhb.govt.nz

Include your:

• full name
• delivery address
• contact phone number
• details of what you would like to order.

Fact sheets for common tests

• Iodine deficiency and urine iodide — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link
• Mercury tests fact sheet — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link
• Selenium fact sheet — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link
• Zinc testing fact sheet — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link

Services include:

• serology
• immunochemistry
• DNA.

Virology and immunology — LabPLUS Test Guideexternal link