Newcastle Laboratories

Vancomycin Level

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

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

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Microbiology

    Microbiology

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Clotted blood - Gold SST

    Clotted blood - Gold SST

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Clotted blood

    Clotted blood

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    5 ml

    5 ml

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 ml

    1 ml

  • Special Requirement:

    Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

    Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

  • Sample Stability:

    Stable for up to 24 hours

    Stable for up to 24 hours

  • Transport Requirements:

    Standard

    Standard

  • Add On Test:

    Possible up to 5 days

    Possible up to 5 days

  • Quality Assurance:

    UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)

    UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)

  • Interpretation:

    Expected levels (mg/L) Pre dose 10-15 but 15-20 in complicated infections OR Steady state during continuous infusion 15-25

    Expected levels (mg/L) Pre dose 10-15 but 15-20 in complicated infections OR Steady state during continuous infusion 15-25

Availability:

Performed daily using random access systems. Can be processed outside core hours if sanctioned by the microbiologist on-call.

Turn Around:

2.5 hours

Send To:

Department of Microbiology

Freeman Hospital
Freeman Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN

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