Sample type: Serum

Test name: Piperacillin

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 inform the Antimicrobial Reference Lab at least one day prior to sending samples.

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. 0.5-1mL of separated serum (minimum acceptable is 150µL). 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 DOB • NHS Number
• Laboratory number
• Dosage, frequency and timing of samples
• Clinical Summary
• Address for report
• Phone number for verbal report or email address for an electronic copy
• Contact name
• Appropriate hazard warnings

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

Reference range: Due to the varied dosing regiments for this drug, it is not useful to give single guideline ranges. Interpretation 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.