The New Zealand Microbiology Network releases Position Statements concerning important issues in diagnostic microbiology.

Blood culture diagnostic stewardship for adults

This is a joint position statement from the New Zealand Microbiology Network (NZMN) and the New Zealand branch of the Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases (NZASID), endorsed by the Sepsis Trust NZ.

Blood culture diagnostic stewardship for adults [PDF, 220 KB]

Microbiological Specimen Sterility

This document describes specimen types and anatomical sites that are considered to represent sterile and non-sterile sites.

NZMN Position Statement on Microbiological Specimen Sterility [PDF, 764 KB]  (September 2024)

 

Joint position statement on the sale and use of rapid antigen-based sexually transmitted infection point of care tests for STIs

This is a joint position statement on behalf of the New Zealand Point of Care Testing Advisory Group, the NZMN, the New Zealand Sexual Health Society NZSHS, the Northern Region Point of Care Testing Network and the New Zealand branch of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, on the sale and use of rapid antigen-based sexually transmitted infection point of care tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and herpes.  There is also a plain language summary.

Joint Position Statement on the sale and use of rapid antigen-based sexually transmitted infection point of care tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and herpes [PDF, 189 KB]  (April 2024)

Plain language summary: POCTs for STIs [PDF, 168 KB]

 

Inclusion of clinical details on request forms

This document describes why the NZMN supports the inclusion of brief but appropriate clincal details on request forms for microbiology samples submitted to diagnostic laboratories.

 NZMN clinical details position statement [PDF, 447 KB]

 

Routine testing for sexually transmitted infections in asymptomatic women

Routine testing of asymptomatic women for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the absence of other risk factors (age, past STIs, relevant sexual history) is not recommended.  This position statement contains information for relevant stakeholders including smear takers, GPs, midwives, practice nurses, sexual health services, family planning, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialists.

NZMN Position Statement regarding routine testing for STIs in asymptomatic women [PDF, 841 KB]  August 2024

 

Routine screening for bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis in asymptomatic women

Screening for bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in asymptomatic women is not routinely recommended. This position statement from the New Zealand Microbiology Network (NZMN) contains information for relevant stakeholders including GPs, midwives, practice nurses, sexual health services, family planning, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialists.

NZMN Position Statement regarding routine screening for bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis in asymptomatic women [PDF, 772 KB]  August 2024

  

Responsibilities of the reference and referring laboratory

Communication guidelines for laboratories referring or receiving clinical specimens for diagnostic testing.

Responsibilities of the reference and referring laboratories [PDF, 416 KB]

 

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