Sample type: Serum

Test name: Meropenem

Condition / Indication: Requesters have found these assays to be of value in patients with difficult infections, continuous infusion, and/or impaired renal function.

Advance warning: Please telephone at least one day in advance of the sample.

Special precautions & notes: Samples should NOT be sent by post since the drug is liable to degradation, send by courier, frozen or on ice.

Sample required: Approx. 1-2 mL of separated serum (minimum acceptable is 100µL). Samples must be sealed and packed to conform to current regulations. Leaking samples may not be processed.

Timing of samples: We recommend a pre dose sample and a post dose sample, taken 1 hour after the end of iv administration.

Test information required: • Patient name, sex and age
• Laboratory number
• Dosage, frequency and timing of samples
• Clinical Summary
• Address for report
• Phone (fax if preferred) number for report or email address for an electronic copy
• Contact name
• Appropriate hazard warnings

Results: Results will be telephoned/faxed or emailed on the day of receipt for samples received between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday. A written confirmation report will be sent by post.

Reference range: There are too many dose regimens used to give single guideline ranges for this particular assay and interpretations of levels needs to be patient specific. The MIC and the organism are required for result interpretation.

Container: Serum (Gold top)

Referred outside NBT for analysis? No

Discipline: Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory

Turnaround time: <3 days

Re-assay interval: Depending on concentrations and patient progression.