Sample type: Serum
Test name: Antimicrobial assays a.k.a. Gentamicin, Vancomycin, Antibiotic assay
Special precautions & notes: Trough (pre-dose) gentamicin level for once daily dosing should be <1mg/L. Exclusions include patients being treated for infective endocarditis, neonates, patients on multiple daily doses and renal patients. For these groups, assays results will be discussed individually. Provided your patient has stable renal function and the level is in the therapeutic range, gentamicin trough levels should be measured before the second dose and re-assayed every 2-3 days.
For trough (pre-dose) vancomycin levels, the therapeutic range is 5-15mg/L. Provided your patient has stable renal function and the level is in the normal range, vancomycin trough levels should be taken before the 3'd or 4'th dose and re-assayed every 5-7days
Reference range: Not Applicable
Container: Serum (Gold top)
Ideal volume (mL): 5 mL
Referred outside NBT for analysis? No
Discipline: Microbiology
Turnaround time: 1 day