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Test & Collection Guide

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PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test


 Recent changes for STI - Sexually Transmitted Infection Microscopy & Culture

Recent changes for STI - Sexually Transmitted Infection Microscopy & Culture

Date
Field
Changed From
Changed To
10th January 2025
Collection & Request Instructions

Gel, charcoal, and VTM (COVID) swabs are NOT suitable for STI PCR. You MUST use the white top STI PCR swab. 

Use the orange charcoal swab for urethral swabs for Gonorrhoea culture. A gel swab can be used for other genital sites (eg HVS). 

Microbiology Collection Guide

https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology_Specimen_Collection_Guide.doc

Note: swabs are required for culture and PCR; urine samples are suitable for PCR testing only.

Gel, charcoal, and VTM (COVID) swabs are NOT suitable for STI PCR. You MUST use the white top STI PCR swab. 

Use the orange charcoal swab for urethral swabs for Gonorrhoea culture. A gel swab can be used for other genital sites (eg HVS). 

Microbiology Collection Guide

https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/WORK-MI-89%20Microbiology%20Swab%20Specimen%20Collection.docx

Note: swabs are required for culture and PCR; urine samples are suitable for PCR testing only.

10th January 2025
Assay name

Sexually Transmitted Infection Microscopy & Culture

STI - Sexually Transmitted Infection Microscopy & Culture

10th January 2025
Collection & Request Instructions

Microbiology Collection Guide

https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology_Specimen_Collection_Guide.doc

Note: swabs are required for culture and PCR; urine samples are suitable for PCR testing only.

Gel, charcoal, and VTM (COVID) swabs are NOT suitable for STI PCR. You MUST use the white top STI PCR swab. 

Use the orange charcoal swab for urethral swabs for Gonorrhoea culture. A gel swab can be used for other genital sites (eg HVS). 

Microbiology Collection Guide

https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology_Specimen_Collection_Guide.doc

Note: swabs are required for culture and PCR; urine samples are suitable for PCR testing only.

STI - Sexually Transmitted Infection Microscopy & Culture

Ordering information:

Do NOT use blue top gel swabs for PCR.

Note: if Mycoplasma genitalium PCR is also required an ADDITIONAL separate dry swab must be collected; if Herpes PCR is also required an ADDITIONAL seperate dry swab must also be collected. 

 

Alternate names:
Genital kit, Genital Swab Microscopy & Culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, PID, STD culture, STI, Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma culture
Laboratory:
Microbiology
Test Code:
GMC
Specimen types:
Genital swab
First stream urine
Container types:
Genital swab kit + sterile potGenital swab kit + sterile pot
Collection Instructions:

Gel, charcoal, and VTM (COVID) swabs are NOT suitable for STI PCR. You MUST use the white top STI PCR swab. 

Use the orange charcoal swab for urethral swabs for Gonorrhoea culture. A gel swab can be used for other genital sites (eg HVS). 

Microbiology Collection Guide

Note: swabs are required for culture and PCR; urine samples are suitable for PCR testing only.

STI self collection guide

Frequency:
Daily
Result Turnaround Time:
2-3 days

  

 

If EMR is not available, Pathology results are available from Auscare.  If you do not have an Auscare login,please complete attached form. https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/Auscare%20user%20Form%20LIS.pdf

Instruction on how to use Auscare - https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/Auscare%20instructions.pdf

SPECIMEN COLLECTION MODULE (SCM) FAQs - CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for Consent form to perform tests not covered by Medicare

CLICK HERE for Minimum Labelling Requirements

For Microbiology Swab Collection https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology%20Swab%20Specimen%20Collection.pdf

Printable Pathology request form https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/2025%20A5%20referral%20slip_2%20pages.docx

"THE ART OF CCCCOLLECTION"

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PREFERRED ORDER OF DRAW

 

Feedback

At Eastern Health Pathology, we value your feedback to help us provide you with a better service.  If you have any concerns, suggestions or compliments that you would like to share, please access the Eastern health feedback service on https://www.easternhealth.org.au/feedback/

 

Pathology Handbook

Test & Collection Guide