New online research application portal – eResearchWithUs

September 14, 2023 by Shannon Ramadge Leave a Comment

NSW Health Pathology is making it easier to apply for our research services with a new eResearchWithUs digital portal.

“This innovative, user-friendly digital platform is a significant step forward in how we support researchers,” says Dr Shaun Roman, Associate Director of NSW Health Pathology.

“This new digital portal not only streamlines the application process but also reinforces our commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and ultimately improving the health and well-being of the community in partnership with the broader research industry,” Dr Roman said.

The portal allows researchers to apply for access to a wide range of essential bio-specimens, such as tissue, blood, cells, urine, DNA/RNA, or protein, as well as various research services like sample collection and pathology or forensic testing, as well as data only requests.

To ensure optimal service delivery, local Research Coordinators will thoroughly review each application. They will carefully assess the research project’s feasibility and offer applicants a tailored quote and research agreement if the lab has capacity to provide the service.

“We want to be able to provide you with an application form that only asks you for the information that is relevant to your research request,” Bente Talseth-Palmer, NSW Health Pathology’s Research Strategy Lead, said, highlighting the portal’s user-friendly design.

The eResearchWithUs portal uses smart logic that minimises requests for additional information, effectively preventing unnecessary delays in the research approval process.

“It means fewer follow-up questions and requests for more documents, preventing unnecessary delays, so we deliver a better service to researchers,” says Karla Jerez, who is one of NSW Health Pathology’s dedicated Research Coordinators.

NSW Health Pathology aspires to be at the forefront of translational research, where scientific discoveries can swiftly make their way from the laboratory to benefit the broader community. By providing researchers with easier access to their extensive research services through eResearchWithUs, we are fostering an environment for collaboration and innovation.

Try eResearchWithUs today.

Got a question?

Visit our research section for more information. Connect with our NSWHP Research Office to discuss potential research collaborations. You can also watch our eResearchWithUs overview video.

Meet Hayley – experienced pathology collector

September 13, 2023 by Sally Topp Leave a Comment

Hayley Byatt has been with NSW Health Pathology for 5 years, but working in pathology for more than 20 years.

I’m a “Phlebotomist”, though no one calls us that nowadays – I think it sounds like “Flowery Bottom”. We’re called Pathology Collectors.

It’s funny, I’m a real sook when I have my blood taken. If you wave my blood in front of me, I’ll faint on you. But I can look at yours, till the cows come home. So I know what it’s like to sit in the chair. If I can help somebody get through a blood test today, by learning a few tricks that will also help them conquer their fears for future visit too. That’s me doing my job properly. By paying it forward, if you will.

I started in the private sector and moved to public pathology. I’ve been doing this longer than some of my colleagues have been walking the planet. Gosh, it’s probably been a quarter of a century now.

Working across the region

I’m based in Kempsey, but I work across the region. I could be in a hospital on the wards or collecting in the outpatients at our Port Macquarie Lighthouse Beach or Lake Innes collection centres, or visiting patients in their homes.

The right job feels like home

I moved to public pathology for a change of scene and liked the idea of camaraderie and being part of a close-knit team. On my first day, two of the collectors I used to work with gave me the biggest hug, I’ll never forget. I instantly thought, ‘I’ve done the right thing, you know.’ I just knew I was home.

My Kempsey team feels like a second family and we look out for each other. We’re like puzzle pieces – we all bring something different and complement each other. People appreciate what we do, especially in a rural community where they travel considerable distances just to see you.

Key traits of a pathology collector

To be a collector, you need to have patience, kindness, resilience, and a lot of empathy. The key is to treat people how you’d like to be treated. Imagine if that was your mum, or sister, or grandmother. Then you can’t go wrong.

I encourage others to start a career in pathology

It’s nice to see new staff – watching them grow is lovely. Now more than ever, we must be human and kind to each other. Some days can be taxing, but others can be so unbelievably rewarding. Covid has put many things into perspective. At the end of a long or difficult day, I like to get back to nature. Whether it’s sitting under a tree or feeling the wind on your face. Sometimes you just need to take your shoes off to ground yourself. Be it in the dirt, the grass, the mud or the rocks. It simply reminds you it’s an enormous world and we’re just a tiny part of it.

I see a lot of people with cancer. They’ve got enough going on. Every day is a struggle just to get up and be part of the world; they’re so brave. By listening, chatting and having a giggle, whilst having a blood test, it can often make a difficult part of their journey just that little bit easier.

Another thing I do to unwind is a bit of ‘treasure hunting’ at op shops or antique stores. It helps me decompress. At my local it doesn’t matter what sort of day you’ve had. They know your name. They’ll smile at you and say hello. This helps restore your faith in human nature. Bargain or not, I go home to my family refreshed.

My journey to pathology

I grew up on a wheat farm in the country and am lucky enough to have travelled the world. Funnily enough, I found my husband back where I started in my hometown. We moved to Port Macquarie for his work. I attended a nursing conference and as fate would have it, I completed my Assistant in Nursing and trained on the job. I think of myself as an amalgamation of skills, amassed from all those fantastic nurses, and midwives I used to work with all those years ago.

I took some time off to have my son. When he was school-age, I decided to get some qualifications to hit the ground running. I returned to work with a Certificate III in Pathology Collection. It was my first time away from my husband and son. I stayed onsite in the nurses’ quarters on campus for about a month for the intensive course. I expected to leave with a piece of paper and refreshed skills, but I also came away with lifelong friends.

So, it just naturally progressed from there.

If I hadn’t started in the health sector, I’d be a retired jet fighter pilot or driving one of those massive Tonka trucks in the mines.

Find all our opportunities in our careers section.

It’s warming up and mozzies are coming. Here’s how to mosquito-proof your backyard

September 12, 2023 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

The weather is warming up and that means more time in the backyard. It also means more mosquitoes.

Here are five ways you can mosquito-proof your backyard that don’t rely on spraying insecticides.

1. Get rid of water

Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycles. They need blood – but water and warmth are just as important.

Getting rid of water around your backyard will go a long way to keeping mosquitoes away. Water trapped in blocked roof gutters, drains and tarpaulin covering boats and trailers can be a great home for mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can exploit the tiniest of water sources too. It may just be the upturned lid of a discarded plastic drink bottle. If it traps water, mosquitoes will find it and lay eggs in it.

Flush out your bird bath once a week to disrupt the mosquito’s life cycle.

If you have a pond, installing a fountain will discourage mosquitoes. If you can’t keep water clean and circulating, consider filling it with sand and gravel to create an interesting garden bed for succulents or other plants.

Mosquitoes will avoid clean and chlorinated swimming pools but will quickly move into “green pools”. If you’re not using your pool, consider converting it to a “pond” so that fish can help keep mosquito numbers down.

2. Screen up – windows, doors and rainwater tanks

If you can’t get rid of permanent water, at least stop mosquitoes getting to it (or you).

Ensure rainwater and septic tanks have screens to stop mosquitoes entering.

Screen windows and doors to stop mosquitoes entering the home. There are plenty of flexible screening options for windows, doors and balconies.

If you live in a mosquito-prone area, creating a screened outdoor area (such as a pergola, courtyard, or balcony) will give you the opportunity to spend time outdoors without being hassled by mozzies.

Mosquitoes on a window screen — Screening windows and doors keeps mosquitoes out.

3. Choose your garden plants carefully

Some plants contain essential oils and other chemicals that, when extracted and concentrated, provide protection against biting mosquitoes. But there isn’t a lot of evidence that the whole plant will keep mosquitoes away from your garden.

Some types of plants are even marketed as “mozzie blockers” or “mosquito repelling”. But there isn’t any evidence of effectiveness. In fact, some of these plants, such as melaleucas, also happen to be associated with hot spots of mosquito breeding in coastal Australia.

The plants to avoid around the home are those that help mosquitoes breed, such as bromeliads, which trap water.

An outdoor pot plant with water in the base tray. — Water provides opportunities for mosquitoes to breed.

4. Encourage the animals that eat mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are food for a range of animals including birds, bats, fish, frogs, lizards, insects, spiders and dragonflies. But don’t expect them to eat enough to keep all mosquitoes away.

Bats are often promoted as a good “biological control” options but studies have shown mosquitoes are more likely to be a snack food for small bats, not an irresistible staple of their diet.

For garden ponds, frogs will eat a few adult mosquitoes but tadpoles of Australian frogs generally don’t eat many mosquito “wrigglers”.

Australian native fish will readily eat mosquitoes and may be useful for backyard ponds.

But not all fish are good. While “mosquitofish” (aka “plague minnow”) is distributed overseas to assist in mosquito control, it’s a disaster for local wildlife and, along with other exotic fish species, should not be released into local waterways.

Healthier habitats promote fewer mosquitoes so the best thing you can do is create habitats for the animals that eat mosquitoes.

5. Avoid traps and other gadgets

There are lots of devices purported to catch, kill, or repel mosquitoes from your garden. Some may catch a mosquito or two but they’re not very effective in knocking out big numbers.

“Bug zappers” with bright lights will collect lots of flying insects. It’s just that mosquitoes make up a very small proportion of collections.

Electrocuting devices, again, don’t seem to attract a lot of mosquitoes.

Devices that emit high frequency sounds won’t help either.

The best devices are typically those that are baited with carbon dioxide. These are a mainstay of state and territory mosquito and arbovirus surveillance programs. For a mosquito, the C0₂ tricks them into thinking the trap is a warm-blooded animal. The only problem is these can be expensive to run and don’t seem quite as effective for mosquito control unless used in large numbers.

Yes, you’ll still need repellent

Perhaps the best way to avoid mosquito bites is to pick an insect repellent recommended by health authorities and apply it to ensure all exposed areas of skin are covered. These products and safe, affordable and effective.

Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, NSW Health Pathology.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Helping to manage haemophilia and other rare blood disorders

September 11, 2023 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Haemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly due to a lack of blood-clotting proteins. Our experts help treat these disorders and help patients to live a safe and healthy life.

Kent Chapman is NSW Health Pathology’s senior hospital scientist in charge of haemostasis or coagulation at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.

“For those not familiar with it, that’s all the bleeding and clotting stuff,” he explains.

He says blood disorders often capture people’s attention, particularly haemophilia, because it is so rare and can be very dangerous.

“It is particularly rare, affecting about 1 in about 6 to 10,000 males and less than 1 in 300,000 females,” he says.

“Newcastle is the only haemophilia centre outside of Sydney, so we cover a large area of NSW, looking after patients from here to Tweed Heads and as far west as you can go.

“We help to manage about 70 children and about 400 adults with bleeding disorders.

“They range in severity from those with very mild cases, who we only treat on demand, to those who require product or factor VIII replacement every day, so they don’t have catastrophic bleeds.”

There are two major types of haemophilia:

• Haemophilia A is the most common form and is caused by having reduced levels of clotting factor VIII (eight).

• Haemophilia B, also known as Christmas Disease, is caused by having reduced levels of clotting factor IX (nine). The disease was named after Stephen Christmas, who was the first person diagnosed with the condition in 1952.

A gloved hand holds a test tube with the label 'Factor VIII test'. — Reduced levels of clotting factor VIII are the cause of Haemophilia A.

The ‘Royal Disease’

Haemophilia has also been called a ‘royal disease’. This is because the haemophilia gene was passed from Queen Victoria (haemophilia B carrier), who became Queen of England in 1837, to the ruling families of Russia, Spain and Germany.

Mr Chapman says the type most people have heard of is haemophilia A.

“The good news is the treatment for that is quite amazing, it’s come a long way in the last few years.”

He says a new product that has only become available in Australia in the last couple of years means patients don’t have to inject factor VIII every day, but only once every week or two.

The injection is also subcutaneous, rather than intravenous, which has made an enormous difference to the lives of many patients.

“It means if they’re on this product, they’ll have the same sort of life expectancy that you or I would have.

“Obviously they still have to be mindful of playing contact sports and all those types of things, but they have a much better quality of life, which is great.”

But Mr Chapman admits the improvement in haemophilia A treatment has made things slightly more complicated for his laboratory.

“Trying to monitor these different products in the lab can become more challenging.

“We’ve had to use different tests to be able to monitor these new therapies, and the new therapies get in the way of the testing for the way we used to do it.

“It’s made our work more complicated, but it’s exciting because it’s much better for people living with haemophilia.”

Other blood disorders

Mr Chapman has a particular interest in the clotting side of blood disorders and has spent time working on a group of disorders called thrombotic microangiopathies.

“We established testing for a particularly rare and fatal disease here over 10 years ago called thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura,” he explains.

“It’s a particularly horrible disease where you basically start having blood clots from head to toe, particularly in the small blood vessels.

“If not detected early, you have a very high chance of dying within a couple of days of diagnosis.

“But with the appropriate diagnosis and treatment 95% of patients are okay.

“The treatment is quite intensive and involves plasma exchange, which is basically sucking all the patient’s plasma out and replacing it with more plasma, and that can take weeks until the patient goes into remission.”

Mr Chapman says he has been particularly fortunate to be working in the field of haemostasis, with talented colleagues and mentors, such as NSW Health Pathology’s Dr Emmanuel Favaloro (Westmead) and Geoffrey Kershaw (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown).

“There are not too many people who get to do this type of work, so I’m very grateful to have ended up here,” he says.

“It was a bit of a fluke that I ended up in pathology to be honest. My mother knew someone who worked in a path lab, she told me to get a haircut and helped get me the job.

“Twenty-something years later, here I am!”

Meet Tanzina. One of our most experienced paediatric collectors

September 4, 2023 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Tanzina Sheikh’s first job in Australia was as a pathology collector (Phlebotomist) with NSW Health Pathology at our Prince of Wales Campus in 2005, and she hasn’t looked back.

Tanzina says she loves the work in a clinical hospital environment, her co-workers, and managers – she loves it all. Tanzina believes sharing knowledge is essential and trains new pathology teammates when they start.

So much so that Tanzina decided to go one step further and teach blood collection at a private college in her spare time.

“I learn when I teach students. They have so many questions; it keeps me on my toes, and I learn a lot from them just as they learn from my experience”.

Sharing experiences to teach others

Originally from Bangladesh, Tanzina and her husband crossed the Indian Ocean to NSW, Australia, for her husband’s work. She chose to study Pathology Collection Certificate III and later completed her Certificate IV.

Tanzina is passionate about sharing her experience and helping others, particularly women, realise their potential and how it’s possible to juggle work and family life. She says, “It’s great to see so many women in pathology. I advocate for wives and mums who don’t think they can do it all – work and look after their families.

“I tell them, ‘You can. You can do it; it just takes some organisation.’ I see lots of women, like me, from overseas who find the culture here so different.”

Consider a career in pathology

Tanzina advises anyone considering a career as a blood collector: “You have to be OK with needles and blood. It scares many trainees they might hurt people when they take blood.

“I tell my students, ‘Remember, you are helping to find the problem and the diagnosis so the doctors can treat the child.’ You must love communicating and talking to people all day – getting to know the kids and their families.

“You get to know their real life, not the rosy picture some people put on social media for the outside world, but the true authentic real life. And that’s so special.”

Paediatric collections are a specialism

Tanzina says, “The hardest thing about paediatric blood collection is finding the vein. When I first started, the senior nurses gave me some great tips on where to try as a last resort. I still use their tricks today and pass the technique on to my students.”

Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick is one of Sydney’s largest children’s hospitals. Kids come from all over NSW for specialised care. “I love working here. You need to know a lot of different conditions, like metabolic, renal and genetic diseases.”

Paediatric collections are unique and need a different skill set compared to adults, with the ability to empathise with the child but, most importantly, relate to the parents and make them feel at ease.

“When an adult is sick in hospital, it’s not nice, but when their child is unwell, it’s truly awful,” Tanzina says.

Collection challenges

Our collectors try to only get the minimum blood needed on the first attempt.

“It’s essential to gain the trust of the parents and carers, which can be challenging when a child is sick. Emotions are high. It takes time to earn and build rapport at such a stressful time. The parents might’ve just received some bad news, which you must be mindful of,” she says.

Some of the most challenging kids are those with special needs. Children with autism sometimes need extra time to become comfortable with new people. They often need two collectors, but Tanzina prefers to do it solo.

“I’m happy to take the time to make them comfortable with me, to feel relaxed. I ask them questions and learn things about them, making it easier to explain what I need from them.

“His mother was so pleased I could collect the blood on the first attempt.”

With such an excellent bedside manner, some parents ask for Tanzina by name, only wanting Tanzina to be their collector. “It’s that appreciation that keeps me going.”

Learning a new culture

One of the hardest things for Tanzina to learn when she moved to Australia was the difference in etiquette and how to handle different situations.

She quickly learned the importance of patient communication by watching senior hospital staff. “I learnt quickly to never take anything personally. You can learn from every experience. I’m still learning how to do things better, and that’s OK. We’re all growing all the time.”

Believe it or not, Tanzina used to be shy, with English not her first language. Still self-conscious of her language skills, she continues to learn. Tanzina is extremely proud of the life she has made for herself and the important work she does.

“I’ve moved house and now live much further away. I could transfer to another NSW Health Pathology location closer to home, but I’d miss it here. I’m happy to commute so I can stay at one of the biggest children’s hospitals in NSW.”

How to handle difficult situations and switch off

Some days are harder than others.

“You see some very sad situations, and switching off at the end of your shift can be difficult. You still feel it when you go home, but I try to keep myself busy. My 17-year-old son keeps me occupied.”

In her spare time, Tanzina spends time with family and friends and is happiest being active.

Back home in Bangladesh, Tanzina was a nutritionist, but her overseas qualification isn’t recognised in Australia. Though she planned to transfer her nutrition qualifications here at some stage, Tanzina says she enjoys pathology so much, the years have flown by.

Find all our career opportunities on our website.

Our valuable collectors – providing compassionate care – for all of us

August 31, 2023 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Pathology relies on the expertise of our front-line collectors for reliable and accurate pathology results.

Pathology collectors play a crucial and valuable role in the healthcare system, benefiting patients, medical practitioners and the wider community.

They collect blood samples for diagnostic testing and provide advice to patients on self-collection of samples such as urine and faeces. Our collectors do these collections for patients in various settings, like outpatient clinics, hospital wards, community centres, aged care facilities and even patient homes.

Are you a pathology collector or thinking about a change of career? Want to join our team? Find out about career opportunities here.

The work of collectors is vital.

They are a critical link between the referring clinician, patients and the pathology test results. Their expertise ensures accurate, safe and timely collection of samples, directly impacting the quality of diagnostic results.

Judy Kempton-Webb, Director of Pre and Post Analytics at NSW Health Pathology, emphasises the significance of the collector role: “Every day our collectors interact with such a diverse range of patients, each with their own unique stories, needs, and expectations of the service.

“It’s incredibly varied and challenging and hinges on strong customer service skills, treating each person with kindness and dignity – just as our labs treat each sample with care and respect.”

Reliable test results lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses, enabling healthcare providers to administer treatments promptly, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Collectors are the friendly face of pathology, providing compassionate and reassuring support during the sometimes anxiety-inducing sample collection process. This empathetic approach fosters patient trust and cooperation, making patients comfortable and willing to return for any future tests they may need.

A group of four people in NSW Health uniforms smiling. — Some of our friendly collection staff

Lorretta Thomson, Statewide Collections Manager at NSW Health Pathology, says: “I’m sure you, like me, have your own experiences when you need a pathology test. It can be stressful and uncomfortable; some of us even put it off for as long as possible. Having a good experience eases anxiety and can change how you feel about future tests.”

Collectors create a positive experience for patients from the moment they bring their request form to a collection centre or go to their bedside, until their samples arrive safely for processing at one of our laboratories.

“Their value extends beyond their technical skills,” Loretta says.

“It lies in how they make patients feel. Working in a busy environment, collectors confidently care for every patient with respect and empathy.”

We have taken proactive steps to collect patient feedback through a statewide collection centre survey, allowing them to focus their efforts on what is important to our consumers and continuously improve the services.

Together, our team developed a “Collecting with Care” guide. It reflects their commitment to personalised patient care and providing the best experience possible.

Recognising that each patient is unique and deserves respect and individual attention, this guide helps collectors tailor their approach to meet the specific needs of each individual.

As an indispensable part of the healthcare system, the dedicated efforts of collectors significantly improve the well-being of patients, families and communities as a whole.

Are you a pathology collector or thinking about a change of career? Want to join our team? Find out about career opportunities here.