Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
When patients are being treated with antibiotics such as this, it is important that levels are monitored to ensure that they are not so high that they are toxic or so low that they are ineffectual.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum sample (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum sample (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 ml
Minimum volume adult:
1 ml
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: unknown
Separated sample: unknown at 15-25C, 14 days at 2-8C, 12 months at -20C
Transport requirements:
Standard
Add On Test:
Yes
Interpretation:
If the patient is on intermittent vancomycin, acceptable trough level is 15 – 20 mg/L.
If the patient is a neonate on continuous vancomycin, target steady state concentration range is 15 – 25 mg/L.
Testing of peak levels is not recommended.