Pathlab has recently received numerous STI specimens with expiry date 25/02. This has caused the specimen to be rejected, resulting in a recollect of specimen for the patient.
The introduction of automated equipment has highlighted a new finding for Pathlab. The new BD COR cannot process expired STI tubes, as the barcode reader indentifies the expiry date resulting in the analyser not accepting the specimen.
Pathlab request:
Expiry date location on STI Molecular Kits (PDF).
There has been an historic understanding that some specimen containers can be used for a short timeframe beyond the expiry date - this is no longer an acceptable practice.
If you have any queries regarding whether an expired collection container can be used, please contact Pathlab for clarification in the first instance.
Any feedback can be sent to Vicki Clayton, Pathlab purchasing manager.
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