DEDICATED molecular specimens are required for blood and swab requests.

Preferred specimen: NPA – 0.5 mL

Alternative specimens: Bronchoalveoloar Lavage (BAL), Bronchial Washings (BW), Endotracheal Aspirate (ETA) Nose swab, Throat swab, Urine, CSF, EDTA whole blood

Measles is a notifiable infection and suspected cases must be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on 1300 651 160 (24 hours)

Routine Testing of Measles Nucleic Acid Detection (RT-PCR)
Measles performed daily at VIDRL

Urgent (after hours) Measles Nucleic Acid Detection (RT-PCR) testing at VIDRL

Clinicians:

1. Requesting Clinician must obtain test authorisation by DHS.  The requesting clinician must indicate on the EPIC order/request form that the testing has been approved by DHS (including details of the DHS approver)

2. Requesting Clinician must indicate the appropriate contact person and details (mobile/landline) for communication of VIDRL results on the EPIC order/request form

3. Requesting Clinician to phone 9345 5904 to notify the laboratory of DHS approved test.

Laboratory Staff:

1. Ensure all after hours Measles Nucleic Acid Detection (PCR) requests are checked for urgency status.
2. If test is not DHS Approved, sample to be sent with next routine courier to VIDRL.
3. If test is DHS approved, contact the VIDRL On Call Medical Officer on 0438 599 437 or the VIDRL On Call Laboratory Manager on 0438 599 439 to notify VIDRL of DHS authorised measles PCR request PRIOR to sending.
4. Request that VIDRL phone results to requesting doctor AND FAX results to 9345 5151 (CSR fax)
5. Arrange courier and specimen delivery to the specimen delivery box located on the Grattan St face of the Doherty Institute (after hours and on weekends). Transport at room temperature.
6. Interim results may be phoned directly to the requesting clinician on the EPIC/request form by VIDRL (please note that there will be a delay before final results are reported into EPIC)
7. Once the Laboratory receives the faxed results, enter and save as an interim report. Print a laboratory number label, attach to the Interim VIDRL report and scan a copy of the report into Medipath.

• If the interim result is NOT DETECTED, the hard copy of the report must be given to Bacteriology (or placed in the external results tray if after hours) 
• If the Interim result is POSITIVE (eg DETECTED) The scientist MUST notify the Laboratory Services On Call Microbiologist via switchboard of any POSITIVE result and log all details in the Medipath phone log.  The hard copy of the report must then be given to Bacteriology (or placed in the external results tray if after hours)
• The final VIDRL result (with additional information) will be validated by Bacteriology/Molecular staff once the full report has been received.

Monday to Friday sent in the morning - SAME DAY TESTING