Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

Pathology staff view

Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies

Ordering information:

PLEASE NOTE : This test is not covered by a Medicare rebate - a $210 fee will be sent to the patient involved.

A SVH Pathology form (link below) must also be filled out and sent to the laboratory.

When an NMDA or VGKC antibody test is requested, an email must be sent to the laboratory giving the clinical indication for the test and the urgency (ie for immediate transport or can be batched), as well as contact details for the person requesting the test in case further communication is required. If no email is received, the test will not be sent. For requests outside of neurology, it is expected that the patient will have been reviewed by neurology, or at the very least discussed with neurology, to determine the appropriateness of sending the test. As previously established, NMDA antibody testing will only be done on CSF unless there is a valid reason why a lumbar puncture cannot be performed.

The email should be directed to:

rebecca.amoore@easternhealth.org.au

and

ailie.connell@easternhealth.org.au

SVH request form

https://www.svhm.org.au/ArticleDocuments/1798/Autoimmune-Encephalitis-Testing-Requisition-form-V5-2017.pdf.aspx?embed=y

Alternate names:

Anti VGKC, Potassium Channel Antibodies, VGKC, Voltage gated K+

Laboratory:

Referred Test

Test Code:

VGKC

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Frequency:

Weekly

Result Turnaround Time:

2-3 weeks

Laboratory Use Only

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%20access.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 a 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

CLICK HERE for a printable Pathology request form

"THE ART OF CCCCOLLECTION"

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PREFERRED ORDER OF DRAW